Leguminous vegetables market in Mexico, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market volume for fresh leguminous vegetables in Mexico first declined from 175.1 thousand tons to 158.6 thousand tons, then surged to 201.8 thousand tons. The sharp increase in 2020 was primarily driven by heightened consumer demand for fresh and healthy foods during the COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with the introduction of front-of-pack warning labels for processed products, which encouraged a shift toward unprocessed alternatives like legumes.

The market contracted significantly to 152.9 thousand tons in 2021 and further to 96.6 thousand tons in 2022. This downturn coincided with a near-doubling of exports, which reached 102.0 thousand tons in 2021, diverting supply away from the domestic market. Additionally, national dietary surveys revealed a decline in per capita legume consumption, falling from 10 grams per day in prior years to 7.7 grams per day in 2022, reflecting changing food preferences. A partial recovery to 123.9 thousand tons occurred in 2023, supported by industry investments in advanced packaging to extend shelf life and improved cold storage infrastructure.

Regulatory developments played a consistent role throughout the period, notably the August 2022 enforcement of NOM-173-SE-2021, which standardized labeling for beverages containing vegetable or fruit content, including legumes. Public policies promoted organic production, food safety certifications, and supply-chain strengthening, which helped modernize the sector for fresh vegetables.

Production leguminous vegetables in Mexico

In kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, Mexico ranked 15th globally in the production volume of leguminous vegetables.

Top producers of leguminous vegetables, 2018-2021

World map of production of leguminous vegetables, 2018-2021

In 2021, Mexico produced 254.5 K t of leguminous vegetables, which remained unchanged from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production grew by 10.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.4%. The lowest production was recorded in 2019 at 213.4 K t, while the highest was in 2020 at 254.6 K t. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 7.4% drop, and the largest increase was in 2020, with a 19.3% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Mexico in kind, 2018-2021, K t

Exports leguminous vegetables from Mexico

Exports in kind, K t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 52.8 K t and peaked in 2021 at 102.0 K t, representing a 1.9-fold difference. In 2021, Mexico's leguminous vegetables export volume was 102.0 K t, marking a sharp increase of 93.2% compared to 2020. The largest decline was recorded in 2020, with a 3.9% decrease.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Mexico in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, the United States was the dominant destination for Mexico's leguminous vegetables exports in kind, accounting for 94.2% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Mexico in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

Leguminous vegetables exports from Mexico grew for the third consecutive year. In 2021, the export value reached 133.1 M $ US, up by 2.3% year-over-year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports increased by 23.5%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 7.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Mexico in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, the United States concentrated nearly all of Mexico's leguminous vegetables exports in value terms, with a share of 95.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Mexico in value, 2018-2021

Imports leguminous vegetables to Mexico

Imports in kind, K t

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Mexico in kind, 2018-2021, K t

From 2018 to 2021, leguminous vegetables imports to Mexico were almost exclusively supplied by the United States, which accounted for 100.0% of total imports in kind.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Mexico in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Mexico in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, leguminous vegetables imports to Mexico were primarily shipped from the United States, which absorbed 100.0% of total imports in value terms.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Mexico in value, 2018-2021