Leguminous vegetables market in GCC

Earlier Report Observations

The GCC market for fresh or chilled leguminous vegetables expanded strongly from 23 066 tons in 2018 to 37 220 tons in 2020. This growth was driven by the entry of new player Agthia with its Al-Ain Food brand, which launched frozen legume products in the UAE in 2018 and expanded distribution across Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain the following year. Marketing efforts under Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 further stimulated local consumption, supporting the overall market increase.

After peaking in 2020, the market volume contracted to 30 177 tons by 2022. During this period, producers adapted to new regional labeling and traceability requirements introduced in 2021. Despite the market decline, domestic production capacity grew, as Agthia added new lines at its Abu Dhabi plant in 2022 to meet sustained demand from households and the hospitality sector.

The market rebounded to 34 610 tons in 2023, aided by enhanced distribution networks and digital tracking systems implemented by major suppliers to ensure product safety and supply chain integrity. In 2024, leading companies continued to diversify their offerings, adding items like black beans and canned chickpeas to cater to evolving consumer preferences for plant-based proteins.

Production leguminous vegetables in GCC

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

GCC's leguminous vegetables production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, 18 902 tonnes were produced, marking an 8.0% year-over-year rise. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 339.1%, which translates to an annualized rate of 63.7%.

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

Exports leguminous vegetables from GCC

Exports in kind, t

The data shows irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 4 844 tonnes, down 37.3% from the previous year. The peak was in 2018 at 14 222 tonnes, resulting in a 2.9-fold difference between these years. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 45.7%, while the largest increase was in 2018 at 74.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, GCC's leguminous vegetables exports were not concentrated on a few key markets. Yemen accounted for 18.2% of exports, Japan for 11.3%, and Iraq for 10.6%, together making up only 40.2% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Leguminous vegetables exports in GCC declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were recorded at 7 306 thousand US dollars, a sharp drop of 36.4% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 45.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 18.3%. The highest value was in 2018 at 15 320 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 14.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Japan, Yemen, and Iraq formed the core of GCC's leguminous vegetables exports in value terms. Japan accounted for 41.9% of exports, Yemen for 9.0%, and Iraq for 6.1%, together representing 57.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports leguminous vegetables to GCC

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, foreign leguminous vegetables supplies to GCC increased. In 2020, import volume totaled 23 163 tonnes, up 7.3% from the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports decreased by 22.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.1%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 21 578 tonnes, and the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 19.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, leguminous vegetables were supplied to GCC from a broad set of markets. Egypt accounted for 14.4% of imports in kind, India for 13.3%, and Australia for 8.3%, together making up only 36.0% of total imports, while many smaller destinations contributed the remaining 64.0%.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, GCC's leguminous vegetables imports totaled 29 052 thousand US dollars, down 15.5% from the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports decreased by 14.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.2%. The highest value was in 2019 at 34 395 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase that year at 3.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, leguminous vegetables were traded with many countries in GCC, and even the largest destinations—India, Egypt, and Kenya—together represented only 44.8% of total imports in value terms.

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

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