Leguminous vegetables market in Northern America

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled leguminous vegetables in Northern America contracted significantly from 2018 to 2021. In physical terms, market volume fell from 1 204 thousand tons to 1 064 thousand tons, while the market's value nearly halved, dropping from $1 919 million to $1 066 million.

This downward trajectory reversed briefly in 2022, with volume recovering to 1 137 thousand tons and value rising to $1 343 million. The recovery proved short-lived, as both volume and value declined again in 2023 to 1 050 thousand tons and $1 290 million, respectively.

By 2024, broader sector trends emerged, including heightened consumer focus on health and organic options, which bolstered the fresh vegetable category. Retail innovations, such as Dollar General expanding fresh produce to 5 000 stores and Gopuff's partnership for rapid delivery, improved product accessibility. Simultaneously, government initiatives like Canada's Local Food Infrastructure Fund, backed by a CAN$50 million budget, aimed to strengthen local supply chains, while inflation prompted some consumers to opt for frozen alternatives.

Production leguminous vegetables in Northern America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

Northern America's production of leguminous vegetables has declined for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 1 068 K t of these vegetables, representing a moderate 6.6% decrease from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 13.6%, which translates to an average annual decline of 4.8%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of leguminous vegetables production in Northern America dropped for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 1 089 M $ US, marking a significant contraction of 16.9% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 25.7%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 9.4%. The peak value occurred in 2018 at 1 798 M $ US. The sharpest decline was in 2019 at 27.2%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 22.7%.

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

Exports leguminous vegetables from Northern America

Exports in kind, K t

Northern America's exports of leguminous vegetables have increased for the second year running. In 2020, the region exported 6.9 K t, up by 1.0% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 4.6%, averaging an annual increase of 1.5%. The lowest volume was in 2018 at 4.6 K t, which saw the largest decline of 30.2%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase at 48.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Northern America's leguminous vegetables exports were distributed across many markets. China accounted for 9.5% of exports in kind, Japan for 9.1%, and the United Arab Emirates for 4.9%. Together, these three countries made up only 23.5% of total export flows, indicating a highly diversified market structure.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of leguminous vegetables exports from Northern America reached 7.0 M $ US, down by 10.2% from 2019. Over the period 2017-2020, export value decreased by 10.1%, with an average annual decline of 3.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 6.9 M $ US, while the highest was in 2019 at 7.8 M $ US. The largest drop occurred in 2018 at 12.1%, and the biggest increase was in 2019 at 13.9%.

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

The export structure in value terms from 2017 to 2020 shows a diverse range of trading partners. Japan accounted for 12.9% of exports in value, China for 6.5%, and the United Arab Emirates for 3.3%. Combined, these three markets represented just 22.7% of total flows, with the remaining 77.3% spread across numerous smaller markets.

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

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

Imports leguminous vegetables to Northern America

Imports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular fluctuations, pointing to a volatile market environment. The lowest import volume was in 2019 at 23.9 K t, while the highest was in 2017, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 9.7 times. In 2020, leguminous vegetables imports into Northern America amounted to 25.1 K t, a 5.0% increase year-on-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 89.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for leguminous vegetables imports into Northern America were Mexico with 32.8% of imports in kind, Guatemala with 14.0%, and China with 5.4%. Together, these three countries accounted for 52.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Northern America's imports of leguminous vegetables in value terms declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports were valued at 126.5 M $ US, remaining stable compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 4%, averaging an annual growth of 1.3%. The highest value was in 2018 at 127.4 M $ US. The largest decrease occurred in 2019 at 0.5%, while the biggest increase was in 2018 at 4.7%.

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

In the period 2017-2020, Mexico was the leading source for leguminous vegetables imports into Northern America in value terms, accounting for 33.0%. Guatemala followed with 15.0%, and China with 5.9%. These three markets together made up 53.8% of total import flows.

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

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