Leguminous vegetables market in Nepal

Earlier Report Observations

The market for leguminous vegetables in Nepal contracted severely between 2018 and 2023, with total volume falling from 11 933 t to 1 384 t. This represented a decline of over 88%, transforming the market's scale and structure within six years.

The drop was almost entirely attributable to a steep and sustained reduction in imports, which collapsed from 11 686 t to 1 131 t. Domestic production remained stable, fluctuating between 239 t and 254 t annually, and therefore could not offset the loss of imported supply.

After a period of gradual decline from 2019 onward, the contraction accelerated between 2022 and 2023, when the market more than halved from 4 366 t to 1 384 t. By the end of the period, the market had become predominantly dependent on domestic output, a sharp reversal from its earlier reliance on imports.

Production leguminous vegetables in Nepal

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

In 2019, Nepal's production of leguminous vegetables reached its lowest point at 239.1 tons. Production then increased by 2.4% in 2020 to 244.8 tons. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 248.1 tons. The most significant production decline occurred in 2019, when output fell by 3.6%.

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

Exports leguminous vegetables from Nepal

Exports in kind, t

The export market for leguminous vegetables showed considerable volatility during this period. In 2018, exports reached their minimum at just 1 ton, then surged dramatically in 2019 to 5 tons - representing an 854.5% increase. By 2020, exports had declined to 4 tons, which was 23.8% lower than the previous year. The most substantial decline occurred in 2018, when exports dropped by 84.8%. The difference between the peak in 2019 and the trough in 2018 was 9.5 times.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India remained the largest buyer of Nepalese leguminous vegetables, accounting for 47.2% of exports by volume. Australia followed with 29.8%, and the United Arab Emirates with 13.3%. Together, these three markets represented 90.3% of Nepal's total leguminous vegetable exports during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of leguminous vegetable exports showed significant fluctuations between 2017 and 2020. In 2018, export value reached its lowest point at 0.3 thousand US dollars, then increased dramatically in 2019. By 2020, exports had grown to 11 thousand US dollars, representing a 343.0% increase compared to 2019. The most substantial decline occurred in 2018, when export value fell by 63.8%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 894.1%. The difference between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2018 was 44 times.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Australia dominated Nepal's leguminous vegetable exports in value terms, accounting for 76.3% of total export revenue. Other markets played comparatively minor roles during this period.

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

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

Imports leguminous vegetables to Nepal

Imports in kind, t

Nepal's imports of leguminous vegetables declined for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 11 686 tons - a moderate decrease of 6.2% compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 7.1% overall, equivalent to an annual decline of 2.4%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when imports fell by 23.0%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 28.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India was overwhelmingly dominant as the source of Nepal's leguminous vegetable imports, accounting for 97.2% of total import volume during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Nepal's spending on leguminous vegetable imports declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, reaching 808 thousand US dollars - a decrease of 10.3% compared to the previous year. Over the broader period from 2017 to 2020, import value decreased by 52.5%, equivalent to an annual decline rate of 22.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, India and Australia together formed the primary source of Nepal's leguminous vegetable imports in value terms, accounting for 99.5% of total import spending during this period.

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

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