Leguminous vegetables market in Ethiopia

Earlier Report Observations

The Ethiopian market for fresh leguminous vegetables experienced significant fluctuations in the early years of the period, primarily driven by export activity. When export prices peaked at $3.91 per kilogram, shipments abroad surged to 6 126 t in 2019, reducing domestic availability and shrinking the market size to 15 906 t. The following year, prices dropped to $3.46 per kilogram, exports declined, and the market recovered to 19 132 t.

In the subsequent years, import volumes became a key factor. Low market participation by local producers, noted as a constraint, contributed to a rise in imports to 4 628 t in 2021, boosting the market to 23 076 t. However, persistent challenges in production and marketing systems led to a drop in imports and a market contraction to 19 778 t in 2022.

The most dramatic expansion occurred in 2023, with the market reaching 30 810 t, largely due to imports soaring to 10 573 t. This surge coincided with the transformation of the seed sector, including the entry of foreign breeding companies such as Enza Zaden, and the promotion of cluster farming and irrigation schemes. Additionally, growing consumer health consciousness and population growth drove demand, necessitating higher imports to meet domestic needs.

Production leguminous vegetables in Ethiopia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

Ethiopia's production of leguminous vegetables has increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 22 487 tonnes, marking a 2.4% rise compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 4%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Ethiopia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports leguminous vegetables from Ethiopia

Exports in kind, t

The export market for leguminous vegetables from Ethiopia showed significant volatility during this period. Volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2019, with a 22-fold difference between these years. In 2020, exports amounted to 3 381 tonnes, representing a 44.8% decrease year-on-year. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 6 126 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 1 336.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Yemen, and India remained the top buyers of leguminous vegetables from Ethiopia. The Netherlands accounted for 44.3% of exports in kind, Yemen for 14.1%, and India for 13.8%. Together, these three countries made up 72.3% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values for leguminous vegetables from Ethiopia experienced notable fluctuations. The lowest value was in 2017, while the highest was in 2019, with a 13-fold variation between them. In 2020, exports totaled 3 217 thousand US dollars, a 29.1% drop from the previous year. The peak value occurred in 2019 at 4 540 thousand US dollars, which also recorded the largest increase of 835.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands, Turkey, and Yemen were the primary destinations for Ethiopia's leguminous vegetable exports in value terms. The Netherlands held a 51.9% share, Turkey 11.5%, and Yemen 10.1%. Collectively, these three countries accounted for 73.5% of total export value.

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

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

Imports leguminous vegetables to Ethiopia

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes of leguminous vegetables into Ethiopia were volatile over the observed period. They peaked in 2017 and fell to their lowest in 2018, with a 4.4-fold difference. In 2020, imports stood at 26 tonnes, a 58.6% decline compared to the previous year. The minimum volume was 17 tonnes in 2018, which also saw the largest decrease of 77.1%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 279.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Italy dominated Ethiopia's imports of leguminous vegetables in kind, accounting for 72.7% of total flows. Other markets combined made up the remaining share.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The import market for leguminous vegetables into Ethiopia showed instability. Values reached their highest in 2017 and their lowest in 2018, differing by 4.1-fold. In 2020, imports amounted to 23 thousand US dollars, a sharp reduction of 56.9% from the prior year. The minimum value was 18 thousand US dollars in 2018, which also experienced the largest decline of 75.3%. The largest increase was in 2019 at 196.2%.

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

During 2017–2020, Italy and the United Arab Emirates were the leading sources for Ethiopia's imports of leguminous vegetables in value terms. Together, they accounted for 87.1% of total flows, with the rest distributed among other countries.

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

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