Leguminous vegetables market in Middle Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh leguminous vegetables in Middle Africa expanded from 13 220 t in 2018 to a peak of 16 003 t in 2020. This growth was primarily driven by a surge in imports, which rose from 1 057 t to 2 353 t. The progressive development of port and logistics infrastructure in Central Africa facilitated import flows in 2019, while the launch of new processing units and the multiplication of artisanal micro-enterprises in 2020 increased demand for fresh vegetables for further value addition.

Market volume then contracted to 13 598 t in 2021 due to a sharp drop in imports, before stabilizing around 13 300–13 600 t in 2022 and 2023. The adoption of the Model Law on Food Security and Nutrition in Africa in 2022, along with strengthened food quality and safety regulations, influenced trade patterns. Subsequently, ongoing efforts to structure the sector through producer-buyer contracting and the implementation of stricter marketing standards for calibration and labeling supported market stability.

Production leguminous vegetables in Middle Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

Middle Africa's production of leguminous vegetables declined after two years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 13 699 tonnes. The following year, in 2020, output remained virtually unchanged at 13 683 tonnes. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018, when production rose by 0.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Middle Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports leguminous vegetables from Middle Africa

Exports in kind, t

The export market for leguminous vegetables from Middle Africa showed significant volatility during this period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2017, then surged to a peak of 1 522 tonnes in 2018, representing a 265-fold increase. By 2020, exports had plummeted to just 32 tonnes, marking a sharp decline of 97.4% compared to the previous year. The largest annual increase was recorded in 2018 at 26 428.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France was overwhelmingly the dominant market for Middle Africa's leguminous vegetable exports, accounting for 95.9% of total export volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export values exhibited an unstable trend throughout the period. The lowest point was recorded in 2017, followed by a peak of 620 thousand US dollars in 2018, representing an 83-fold increase. In 2020, export value dropped sharply to 30 thousand US dollars, a decline of 94.6% from the previous year. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018 at 8 222.2%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, France accounted for nearly all of Middle Africa's leguminous vegetable export value, with a dominant share of 94.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports leguminous vegetables to Middle Africa

Imports in kind, t

Middle Africa's imports of leguminous vegetables increased for the second consecutive year. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 1 057 tonnes, which represented an 11.1% decline from the previous year. By 2020, imports had grown to 2 353 tonnes, showing a sharp increase of 57.9% from 2019. Over the entire 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 97.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 25.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Ukraine, Togo, and the United States were the main suppliers of leguminous vegetables to Middle Africa by volume. Ukraine accounted for 35.0% of imports, Togo for 10.5%, and the United States for 9.0%. Together, these three countries represented 54.5% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, Middle Africa's import value for leguminous vegetables increased in 2020. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 1 050 thousand US dollars, following a 23.1% decline in 2018. In 2020, imports rose to 1 315 thousand US dollars, representing a 25.2% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 9.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Middle Africa's suppliers of leguminous vegetables by value were diverse. Ukraine accounted for 19.6% of import value, the United States for 7.4%, and Portugal for 6.0%. Together, these three countries contributed 33.1% of total import value, with many other countries holding smaller but significant shares.

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

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