Leguminous vegetables market in Greece

Earlier Report Observations

The production and market volume of fresh leguminous vegetables in Greece experienced notable volatility from 2018 to 2023. After initial levels of 75 360 t and 75 456 t respectively in 2018, both metrics fell sharply in 2019 and 2020, partially recovered in 2021, then declined again through 2022 and 2023. This fluctuation occurred within a market structure where domestic production historically met only about 20% of consumption, a factor underscoring the latent potential for import substitution and local supply chain development.

The market contraction in 2022 and 2023, which saw production drop to 39 970 t and market volume to 38 610 t, was primarily driven by broad inflationary pressures that significantly increased prices for fresh vegetables and food staples. This reduced consumer purchasing power and dampened demand for leguminous vegetables. Concurrently, the implementation of revised EU organic production and labeling rules introduced new compliance requirements for Greek producers, potentially affecting short-term operational stability.

Underlying these volume movements were several stabilizing and growth-oriented factors. Consumer interest in plant-based foods remained strong, with over 60% of Greeks consuming legumes weekly. Established producer Arosis, with a focus on quality since 1956, entered a strategic partnership in 2022 to develop innovative product lines. Furthermore, a five-year state subsidy scheme for organic legume cultivation, including support for local varieties, was established to incentivize and strengthen domestic production.

Production leguminous vegetables in Greece

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

Leguminous vegetable production in Greece has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, Greece produced 56 220 tonnes of leguminous vegetables, representing a 3.3% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 12.8%, which translates to an average annual decline of 4.5%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 75 360 tonnes. The largest year-on-year decrease occurred in 2019, with a drop of 22.8%, while the biggest increase was in 2018, at 16.9%.

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

Exports leguminous vegetables from Greece

Exports in kind, t

Greece's exports of leguminous vegetables have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Greece exported 174.2 tonnes, showing a modest gain of 9.5% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 10%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.2%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 124.6 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a decrease of 21.3%, while the biggest increase was in 2019, at 27.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria accounted for 73.9% of Greece's total leguminous vegetable exports by volume. The remaining exports were distributed among many other countries, each with smaller individual shares.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market for leguminous vegetable exports from Greece showed an unstable trend during this period. In 2020, the export value reached 135.7 thousand US dollars, up by 118.4% from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 62.1 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 29.3%. The difference between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2019 was 2.2 times.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Albania formed the core of Greece's leguminous vegetable exports by value. Bulgaria accounted for 36.9% of exports, Cyprus for 31.0%, and Albania for 9.0%. Together, these three countries represented 76.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports leguminous vegetables to Greece

Imports in kind, t

Leguminous vegetable imports into Greece have increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports stood at 366.8 tonnes, marking a robust increase of 19.1% compared to 2019. However, from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 15.2%, which equates to an average annual decline of 5.3%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 220.8 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 48.9%, while the biggest increase was in 2019, at 39.4%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands were the top suppliers of leguminous vegetables to Greece by volume. Germany accounted for 38.8% of imports, Spain for 19.3%, and the Netherlands for 11.3%. Their combined share reached 69.4% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, Greece's leguminous vegetable imports totaled 361.1 thousand US dollars, down by 24.7% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 26.9%, which translates to an average annual decline of 9.9%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019, at 9.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Spain, and the Netherlands were the main sources of leguminous vegetable imports into Greece by value. Germany accounted for 28.8% of imports, Spain for 25.8%, and the Netherlands for 24.3%. Together, these three countries represented 79.0% of total import flows.

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

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