Leguminous vegetables market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for leguminous vegetables in Italy fluctuated between 2018 and 2020, starting at 321.7 thousand tonnes before dipping in 2019. It recovered to 314.0 thousand tonnes in 2020, a period when consumer demand for fresh, organic produce remained resilient despite the global pandemic, supporting overall consumption.

From 2021 to 2022, the market contracted significantly, falling to 278.9 thousand tonnes. During these years, underlying market shifts continued, including a rising share of organic vegetables in retail sales and the growing importance of discount chains and online platforms as distribution channels. Technological innovations like vertical farming and hydroponics also began enhancing production capabilities for fresh vegetables.

A modest recovery to 281.9 thousand tonnes occurred in 2023. This was underpinned by sustained strong consumer preference for organic vegetables and the expansion of the practical, ready-to-use packaged vegetable segment (fourth range), whose sales saw notable growth. The rise of e-commerce for fresh food further facilitated access to quality products.

Production leguminous vegetables in Italy

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy ranked as the 11th largest producer of leguminous vegetables globally.

Top producers of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

In 2020, Italy produced 289.3 thousand tonnes of leguminous vegetables, marking a modest increase of 2.6% from the previous year. Production reached its lowest point in 2019 at 281.9 thousand tonnes, while the peak was recorded in 2018 at 296.6 thousand tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 5.0%, whereas the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 3.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of leguminous vegetables in Italy was valued at 698.7 million US dollars, reflecting a substantial gain of 15.0% compared to the prior year. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 16.6%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 5.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 735.0 million US dollars. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, falling by 17.4%, while the largest increase was in 2018, up by 22.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports leguminous vegetables from Italy

Exports in kind, t

Italy exported 6 296 tonnes of leguminous vegetables in 2020, representing a contraction of 8.6% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 7.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -2.7%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 5 428 tonnes, while the highest was in 2019 at 6 891 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 20.5%, and the most significant increase was in 2019, rising by 26.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Germany, and Austria formed the core of Italy's leguminous vegetable exports in kind, accounting for 28.3%, 12.2%, and 10.0% of total exports, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 50.5% of all export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Italy's cross-border shipments of leguminous vegetables increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 15 208 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a slight increase of 2.4% relative to the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 6.4%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 13 451 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 5.9%, while the most significant increase was in 2019, up by 10.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Denmark, and Austria continued to lead as the top buyers of leguminous vegetables from Italy in value terms, accounting for 26.8%, 13.0%, and 12.6% of total exports, respectively. Collectively, these three markets represented 52.4% of Italy's total export value.

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

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

Imports leguminous vegetables to Italy

Imports in kind, t

Italy imported 30 989 tonnes of leguminous vegetables in 2020, up by 2.6% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 21.3%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 6.7%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, dropping by 1.0%, while the most significant increase occurred in 2018, rising by 19.5%.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, three main markets—France, Egypt, and Spain—together absorbed 73.9% of Italy's total imports of leguminous vegetables in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After a two-year uptick, Italy's imports of leguminous vegetables declined. In 2020, Italy imported a total of 38 706 thousand US dollars of leguminous vegetables, amounting to a reduction of 9.2% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 10.1%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 3.3%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 42 648 thousand US dollars. The largest increase occurred in 2018, rising by 20.0%.

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

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

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