Leguminous vegetables market in Germany

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh or chilled leguminous vegetables in Germany fluctuated between 2018 and 2023. After reaching 79 496 tons in 2018, it fell to 62 813 tons in 2019 before recovering to 70 321 tons in 2020. This recovery coincided with pandemic lockdowns and a rising consumer trend toward reducing meat consumption, which increased demand for legumes as a low-cost plant-based protein source. The market saw heightened competition from new brands and private-label entries during this period.

Sustained consumer interest in plant-based eating drove further growth, with the market volume expanding to 88 678 tons in 2021. In 2022, despite a weather-affected harvest that constrained domestic supply, the market reached a peak of 92 787 tons. This growth was supported by federal promotion of domestic legume cultivation through research and knowledge transfer by the Agency for Agriculture and Food (BLE), alongside a broader shift in consumer preferences toward sustainable and protein-rich foods. However, the market declined to 76 135 tons in 2023, as the reduced planting area following the previous year's poor harvest limited available volume.

Production leguminous vegetables in Germany

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

After a two-year decline, leguminous vegetable production in Germany increased in 2020. That year, Germany produced 70 110 tonnes of leguminous vegetables, marking a 5.4% rise compared to 2019. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production actually decreased by 19.5%, which translates to an average annual decline of 7.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 66 490 tonnes, while the sharpest year-on-year drop occurred in 2018 with a 21.4% decrease.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Following a two-year drop, the value of leguminous vegetable production in Germany rebounded in 2020. The output was valued at 61 629 thousand US dollars, representing a significant 23.2% increase compared to 2019. Despite this recent growth, over the 2017-2020 period, production value fell by 21.7%, averaging an annual decline of 7.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 50 020 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest single-year decline of 28.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports leguminous vegetables from Germany

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Germany's exports of leguminous vegetables amounted to 36 588 tonnes, showing a moderate decrease of 7.4% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports overall increased by 3.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.2%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 25 736 tonnes, while the peak was in 2019 at 39 526 tonnes. The sharpest decline occurred in 2018 with a 27.1% drop, whereas the largest increase was in 2019 with a 53.6% surge.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Italy were Germany's key export partners for leguminous vegetables in volume terms. The Netherlands accounted for 61.8% of exports, Belgium for 16.5%, and Italy for 4.8%. Together, these three countries represented 83.1% of Germany's total export flows in this category.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Germany's leguminous vegetable export value increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 32 162 thousand US dollars, which is 8.2% higher than in 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 26 364 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 17.4%. In contrast, 2019 saw the biggest increase with a 12.8% rise.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Italy were the top destinations for Germany's leguminous vegetable exports in value terms. The Netherlands held a 42.0% share, the United Kingdom 18.2%, and Italy 8.4%. Combined, these three countries accounted for 68.6% of Germany's total export value in this sector.

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

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

Imports leguminous vegetables to Germany

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decrease, Germany's imports of leguminous vegetables in volume terms increased in 2020. The country imported 35 849 tonnes, reflecting a slight rise of 2.6% compared to the previous year. However, over the 2017-2020 period, imports declined by 17.5%, with an average annual decrease of 6.2%. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 35 849 tonnes, while the largest drop occurred in 2018 with a 17.7% reduction.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany's imports of leguminous vegetables in volume terms were not highly concentrated. The top three suppliers were the Netherlands with a 20.8% share, Spain with 15.6%, and Egypt with 12.2%. Together, these countries accounted for only 48.6% of total import flows, indicating a relatively diversified sourcing pattern.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year decline, Germany's import value for leguminous vegetables rose in 2020, reaching 96 506 thousand US dollars. This represents a 10.3% increase compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 87 469 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 6.5%.

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

The data for 2017-2020 show that Germany's imports of leguminous vegetables in value terms were not heavily concentrated on a few key sources. The Netherlands accounted for 19.7% of imports, Spain for 14.6%, and Egypt for 13.8%. Collectively, these three countries made up just 48.1% of total import value, suggesting a broad supplier base.

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

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