Leguminous vegetables market in India

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh or chilled leguminous vegetables in India expanded consistently from 7.7 million tonnes in 2018 to 9.4 million tonnes in 2023. This growth accelerated in 2022 and 2023, driven by a clear shift in consumer preferences towards fresh, locally sourced, and organic produce, which increased direct demand. Simultaneously, the rising popularity of processed and convenience foods, including ready-to-eat meals, spurred higher consumption of vegetables as key ingredients, supporting overall market expansion.

Regulatory updates from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) shaped the market environment. In 2022, FSSAI evolved guidelines for vegan food production and allergen labeling, enhancing consumer transparency. Subsequent amendments, including the July 2024 mandate for bold nutritional information on packaged food labels, standardized labeling requirements and affected how fresh leguminous vegetables are presented and sold, fostering a more structured market.

Government initiatives and evolving market segments provided further momentum. The emergence of branded niches like organic produce and pre-cut salads created new demand channels. Announced in March 2024, government investment plans aimed at boosting food processing infrastructure, while a surge in vegetable exports reflected improved supply chains and growing international demand, underscoring the market's development beyond domestic consumption.

Production leguminous vegetables in India

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, India held the second position globally in the production of leguminous vegetables.

Top producers of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

India's production of leguminous vegetables grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 8 117 thousand tonnes, marking a slight increase of 2.5% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 10.3%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 3.3%.

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

Exports leguminous vegetables from India

Exports in kind, t

The export market for leguminous vegetables showed significant volatility during this period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 576 tonnes and peaked in 2019 at 3 403 tonnes, representing a 5.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, India exported 1 797 tonnes, a sharp decline of 47.2% from the previous year. The largest year-over-year increase occurred in 2019, with a jump of 491.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Nepal was the top buyer of leguminous vegetables from India, accounting for 59.2% of exports by volume. The United Arab Emirates followed with 8.5%, and the United Kingdom with 8.4%. Together, these three countries made up 76.1% of India's total exports in this category.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values in monetary terms were highly unstable throughout the timeframe. The lowest point was in 2018 at 454 thousand US dollars, while the highest was in 2017, showing a 2.9-fold fluctuation between these years. In 2020, exports amounted to 776 thousand US dollars, down 36.2% from 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 65.4%, and the biggest increase came in 2019 with a rise of 168.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom led as the primary destination for India's leguminous vegetable exports by value, making up 32.5% of the total. Nepal accounted for 16.7%, and Canada for 11.0%. Combined, these three markets represented 60.1% of India's export revenue in this sector.

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

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

Imports leguminous vegetables to India

Imports in kind, t

India's imports of leguminous vegetables totaled 40 tonnes in 2020, an increase of 83.9% compared to 2019. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 125.9%, averaging an annual growth rate of 31.2%.

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

During 2017–2020, Italy was the main source of India's leguminous vegetable imports by volume, contributing 44.3%. New Zealand supplied 22.2%, and Thailand 5.1%. Together, these three countries accounted for 71.5% of India's total imports in this category.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of India's leguminous vegetable imports reached 56 thousand US dollars, up 37.3% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, import values increased by 29.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy remained the leading supplier of leguminous vegetables to India by value, holding a 35.3% share. New Zealand accounted for 20.5%, and Thailand for 6.0%. Collectively, these three countries made up 61.8% of India's total import value in this sector.

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

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