Leguminous vegetables market in New Zealand

Earlier Report Observations

Production of leguminous vegetables in New Zealand declined from 37 110 t in 2018 to 32 268 t in 2020, before a slight recovery to 32 657 t in 2021. The market volume followed a similar pattern, falling from 38 997 t to 33 571 t over 2018-2020, then edging up to 34 228 t in 2021.

A sharp expansion occurred in 2022, with production jumping to 42 165 t and market volume reaching 42 935 t. This growth was supported by large-scale processing facilities such as Watties Hastings, which increased capacity for handling local produce. In 2023, production stabilized at 42 391 t while market volume rose further to 44 083 t, driven by shifting consumer preferences toward health, sustainability, and economic austerity—the 'Fakeaway' trend encouraged home cooking and boosted demand for easy-to-prepare fresh vegetables.

Import volumes peaked at 1 695 t in 2023 before falling to 1 195 t in 2024 and 931 t in 2025. During these years, consumer behavior continued to focus on healthy aging, gut health, and seasonal purchasing, while global supply chain disruptions influenced availability and pricing.

Production leguminous vegetables in New Zealand

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of leguminous vegetables, 2018-2021

World map of production of leguminous vegetables, 2018-2021

New Zealand's production of leguminous vegetables increased after two years of decline. In 2021, the country produced 32 657 tonnes, marking a modest 1.2% improvement over the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2018 to 2021, production actually fell by 12%, with an average annual decline of 4.2%. The lowest point was in 2020, with 32 268 tonnes produced, while the sharpest drop occurred in 2019, when production decreased by 6.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports leguminous vegetables from New Zealand

Exports in kind, t

The export market for leguminous vegetables showed significant volatility during the observed period. The lowest volume was recorded in 2021, at just 5 tonnes, while the highest was in 2020, at 37 tonnes—a difference of 8.1 times between these years. In 2021, exports plummeted by 87.6% compared to 2020. The largest increase occurred in 2020, with a dramatic rise of 217.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Australia, Fiji, and New Caledonia were the primary buyers of New Zealand's leguminous vegetables, accounting for 68.5% of total exports in volume. Australia led with 37.7% of exports, followed by Fiji at 18.0% and New Caledonia at 12.8%.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

New Zealand's leguminous vegetable exports declined for the third consecutive year in 2021, reaching 34 thousand US dollars—a 43.9% reduction compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, exports fell by 45.3%, with an average annual decrease of 18.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, New Caledonia, Fiji, and Australia emerged as the main markets for New Zealand's leguminous vegetable exports in value terms, together representing 60.6% of total flows. New Caledonia accounted for 28.1% of exports, Fiji for 21.4%, and Australia for 11.1%.

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

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

Imports leguminous vegetables to New Zealand

Imports in kind, t

After two years of contraction, New Zealand's imports of leguminous vegetables increased in 2021, reaching 1 576 tonnes—a 17.6% rise compared to 2020. However, over the 2018-2021 period, imports decreased by 17.3%, with an average annual decline of 6.1%. The lowest volume was in 2020, at 1 340 tonnes, and the largest drop occurred that same year, with a 24.0% decrease.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Australia was overwhelmingly the main source for New Zealand's leguminous vegetable imports in volume, accounting for 93.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Following two years of decline, New Zealand's imports of leguminous vegetables in value terms increased in 2021, reaching 7 873 thousand US dollars—a 44.5% jump from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports grew by 11.7%, with an average annual increase of 3.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2020, at 5 449 thousand US dollars, and the largest decline occurred that year, with a 16.0% drop.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Throughout 2018-2021, Australia dominated New Zealand's leguminous vegetable imports in value terms, holding a 90.2% share of total flows.

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

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