Leguminous vegetables market in Lebanon

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled leguminous vegetables in Lebanon exhibited significant fluctuations from 2018 to 2023. It grew by 8% in 2019 to reach 41 250 t, then declined by 5% in 2020 and a further 2% in 2021, falling to 38 183 t. The market stabilized thereafter, with slight growth of 0.3% in 2022 and 1.6% in 2023, ending at 38 917 t, marginally above the 2018 level of 38 039 t.

Domestic production followed a similar trajectory, peaking at 40 173 t in 2019 before settling near 39 000 t. Trade dynamics contributed to market size variations, with imports surging to 1 711 t in 2019 then dropping sharply, while exports generally increased until 2022 before contracting in 2023.

Production leguminous vegetables in Lebanon

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

Lebanon's production of leguminous vegetables reached 40 173 tonnes in 2019, marking the highest level in recent years. This represented a significant increase of 5.8% from the previous year. However, production declined to 38 932 tonnes in 2020, showing a modest reduction of 3.1% year-over-year. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 37 963 tonnes.

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

Exports leguminous vegetables from Lebanon

Exports in kind, t

Lebanon's exports of leguminous vegetables showed considerable volatility during this period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 257 tonnes, representing a dramatic decline of 90.1% from the previous year. However, exports rebounded strongly in 2019 with a remarkable increase of 147.0%. In 2020, Lebanon exported 712 tonnes of leguminous vegetables, showing a 12.4% rise compared to 2019. The highest export volume was registered in 2017, creating a 10.1-fold difference between the peak in 2017 and the trough in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Lebanon's exports of leguminous vegetables were primarily directed to three key markets. The United Arab Emirates accounted for 29.6% of exports in kind, Qatar represented 21.3%, and Kuwait made up 20.9%. Together, these three destinations accounted for 71.8% of Lebanon's total exports of leguminous vegetables during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Lebanon's exports of leguminous vegetables in value terms increased for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 876 thousand US dollars. This represented a substantial increase of 52.1% compared to the previous year. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 488 thousand US dollars, marking a decline of 41.5% from 2017. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the structure of Lebanon's leguminous vegetable exports in value terms was dominated by three markets. The United Arab Emirates accounted for 34.2% of export value, Qatar represented 21.1%, and Kuwait contributed 14.6%. Collectively, these three destinations represented 69.9% of Lebanon's total export value for leguminous vegetables during this period.

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

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

Imports leguminous vegetables to Lebanon

Imports in kind, t

Lebanon's imports of leguminous vegetables showed significant volatility during these years. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 332 tonnes, representing a sharp decline of 82.9% from the previous year. However, imports surged in 2019 with an extraordinary increase of 414.7%. In 2020, Lebanon imported 785 tonnes of leguminous vegetables, showing a decrease of 54.1% compared to 2019. The highest import volume was reached in 2017, creating a 5.8-fold difference between the peak in 2017 and the trough in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Lebanon's imports of leguminous vegetables in kind were overwhelmingly concentrated in two source countries. Syria and Egypt together accounted for 94.2% of total imports, with other markets representing only a small fraction of Lebanon's import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Lebanon's imports of leguminous vegetables in value terms exhibited considerable volatility during this period. The lowest import value was recorded in 2020 at 462 thousand US dollars, representing a dramatic drop of 54.0% from 2019. The highest import value was reached in 2017, creating an 11.6-fold difference between the peak in 2017 and the trough in 2020. In 2018, imports declined by 82.4%, while they increased by 7.1% in 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Syria and Egypt were the dominant suppliers of leguminous vegetables to Lebanon in value terms. Together, these two countries accounted for 94.5% of Lebanon's total import value for leguminous vegetables, with other destinations each representing relatively small market shares.

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

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