Leguminous vegetables market in Egypt

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh leguminous vegetables in Egypt saw an increase in volume to 520.7 K t in 2019, supported by rising consumer demand for healthy diets and higher disposable income. The development of cold chains also contributed to maintaining product quality for both domestic and export markets.

Market volume subsequently entered a phase of gradual decline, falling to 478.6 K t by 2021. This period was marked by an oversupply of vegetables which put downward pressure on prices, alongside operational challenges in trade and distribution due to significant spoilage of perishable stocks.

A steep drop to 290.5 K t occurred in 2022, a year which also saw the launch of a new on-site hydroponic farm aiming to bolster local production. A partial recovery followed in 2023, with volume rising to 356.4 K t as a strong influx of vegetables entered the markets and prices stabilized at low levels, stimulating domestic consumption.

Production leguminous vegetables in Egypt

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Globally, Egypt ranked as the 9th largest producer of leguminous vegetables from 2017 to 2020.

Top producers of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

Egypt's production of leguminous vegetables declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 528.4 thousand tonnes, marking a slight decrease of 1.5% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 12.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 4.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Egypt in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two years of decline, leguminous vegetables production in Egypt increased in value. In 2020, the output was valued at 1 337 million US dollars, reflecting a strong gain of 11.6% over the prior year. However, from 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 13.7%, averaging a 4.8% annual decline. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 198 million US dollars, with the largest decline of 18.9% occurring that same year.

Annual dynamics of production in Egypt in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports leguminous vegetables from Egypt

Exports in kind, t

The market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Egypt exported 15 495 tonnes of leguminous vegetables in 2020, down by 3.3% from 2019. The highest export volume was in 2018 at 65 931 tonnes, which saw the largest increase of 265.4%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest decline of 75.7%. Overall, import levels varied significantly, with a 4.3-fold difference between the peak in 2018 and the low in 2020.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Egypt in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, Germany, and Belgium were the principal destinations for Egypt's leguminous vegetable exports in kind. The United Kingdom accounted for 28.6% of exports, while Germany and Belgium each contributed 14.4%. Together, these three countries represented 57.4% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Egypt in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

After a two-year decline, the value of leguminous vegetables exported from Egypt increased. In 2020, exports amounted to 39 214 thousand US dollars, showing a modest rise of 9.6% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, however, export value decreased by 15.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -5.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 35 766 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline of 16.7% occurred in 2018.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Egypt in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, Belgium, and Germany continued to be the top buyers of leguminous vegetables from Egypt in value terms. The United Kingdom accounted for 28.7% of exports, Belgium for 14.6%, and Germany for 14.3%. Collectively, these three markets took 57.6% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Egypt in value, 2017-2020

Imports leguminous vegetables to Egypt

Imports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility over the observed period. In 2020, Egypt imported 37 tonnes of leguminous vegetables, representing a 40.9% year-on-year decline. Import levels fluctuated significantly, with a 3.1-fold difference between the high in 2019 and the low in 2017.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Egypt in kind, 2017-2020, t

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the United States, Ethiopia, and Spain formed the core of Egypt's leguminous vegetable imports in kind. The United States accounted for 46.0% of imports, Ethiopia for 19.0%, and Spain for 16.5%. Together, these three sources made up 81.5% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Egypt in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Egypt imported 110 thousand US dollars worth of leguminous vegetables in 2020, down by 20.0% from the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, however, import value increased by 24.7%, averaging an annual growth rate of 7.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Egypt in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, three main markets—the United States, Spain, and Ethiopia—together absorbed 86.0% of the total value of leguminous vegetable imports into Egypt.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Egypt in value, 2017-2020