Leguminous vegetables market in Northern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh leguminous vegetables in Northern Africa contracted from 1 713 thousand tons in 2018 to 1 471 thousand tons in 2022, driven by a sustained decline in production over those years. A partial recovery emerged in 2023, with market volume rising to 1 603 thousand tons as production increased to 1 750 thousand tons.

In value terms, the market followed a similar downward trend until 2021, falling to 2 613 million USD. However, 2023 saw a sharp rebound to 3 613 million USD, significantly exceeding the 2018 level of 3 171 million USD. This surge in market value, which outpaced the volume recovery, points to a substantial increase in average prices during 2023.

Throughout the period, trade played a minor role, with imports negligible and exports ranging from 147 to 223 thousand tons annually. The consistent net export position meant the domestic market size remained below production levels each year.

Production leguminous vegetables in Northern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

Leguminous vegetable production in Northern Africa has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 1 805 thousand tons, which represents a slight decrease of 0.9% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 2.2%, with an average annual decline of 0.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1 935 thousand tons, marking a 4.9% increase from the previous year. However, the largest drop occurred in 2019, when production fell by 6.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of leguminous vegetable production in Northern Africa was 3 273 million US dollars, showing a modest year-on-year decline of 8.6%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 11.8%, with an average annual reduction of 4.1%. The most significant increase was observed in 2019, when production value rose by 3.0%.

Annual dynamics of production in Northern Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports leguminous vegetables from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Leguminous vegetable exports from Northern Africa have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 156.6 thousand tons, representing a small decrease of 2.4% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, however, exports overall increased by 8.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.6%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2018 at 223.3 thousand tons, marking a substantial 54.1% increase from 2017. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when exports fell by 28.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, France, and the Netherlands consistently held the top positions in the export structure for leguminous vegetables from Northern Africa. Spain accounted for 53.5% of exports in volume, France for 17.6%, and the Netherlands for 15.2%. Together, these three countries represented 86.4% of total export flows during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, leguminous vegetable exports from Northern Africa declined in 2020. Export value amounted to 283.6 million US dollars, reflecting a 9.6% drop compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 2.6%, with an average annual decline of 0.9%. The highest export value was recorded in 2019 at 313.6 million US dollars, which represented a 5.8% increase from 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, three key markets—Spain, France, and the Netherlands—collectively accounted for 84.9% of the total export value of leguminous vegetables from Northern Africa.

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

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

Imports leguminous vegetables to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, K t

The import market for leguminous vegetables in Northern Africa showed an unstable trend during the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 at 0.5 thousand tons, which was 90.0% lower than in 2019. The peak import volume was recorded in 2019 at 5.0 thousand tons, representing a dramatic 289.4% increase from the previous year. This created a tenfold difference between the highest and lowest import levels.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, China, and Spain were the main sources of leguminous vegetable imports to Northern Africa. The United Kingdom accounted for 38.0% of imports in volume, China for 11.8%, and Spain for 2.7%. Together, these three countries represented 52.6% of total import flows during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The import market for leguminous vegetables in Northern Africa exhibited volatility between 2017 and 2020. Import value reached its lowest point in 2020 at 0.9 million US dollars, which was 77.8% lower than in 2019. The peak import value was recorded in 2019 at 3.9 million US dollars, marking a substantial 227.0% increase from the previous year. This resulted in a 4.5-fold variation between the highest and lowest import values.

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

The partner structure for imports in value terms remained fragmented from 2017 to 2020. The United Kingdom accounted for 23.4% of import value, China for 18.9%, and Spain for 3.8%. Together, these three countries represented only 46.1% of total import flows, with no single country achieving a dominant share.

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

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