Leguminous vegetables market in Northern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh leguminous vegetables in Northern Europe expanded significantly from 179 thousand tons in 2018 to 335 thousand tons in 2020. This growth was driven by increasing consumer awareness of the nutritional and environmental benefits of legumes, supported by ongoing projects to promote their cultivation and culinary use, such as the GrainLegsGo initiative launched in 2021 to develop the value chain for fresh legumes.

After stabilizing at around 334 thousand tons in 2021, the market volume declined to 284 thousand tons in 2022. One key factor was the competition from imported legumes produced in countries with lower costs and longer growing seasons, which pressured local production. Additionally, in Sweden, reports indicated that up to 80% of legume output was directed toward animal feed rather than human consumption, limiting the supply available for the fresh vegetable market.

In 2023, the market recovered slightly to 289 thousand tons. Throughout the period, governmental and research initiatives continued to support sustainable production and higher consumption, although challenges such as distribution logistics for perishable fresh legumes and entrenched consumer habits persisted.

Production leguminous vegetables in Northern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

Northern Europe's leguminous vegetable production has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 264.3 thousand tons, marking a modest 1.9% increase from the previous year. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 20.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 6.5%. The lowest production level was in 2018, at 195.9 thousand tons, when output fell by 10.5%. In contrast, 2019 saw the strongest growth, with a 32.4% increase.

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

Exports leguminous vegetables from Northern Europe

Exports in kind, t

Northern Europe's leguminous vegetable exports have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports stood at 10 987 tons, representing a sharp year-on-year drop of 68.0%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 87.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -50.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt, Sudan, and the Netherlands were the key markets for Northern Europe's leguminous vegetable exports in volume terms. Egypt accounted for 36.3% of exports, while Sudan and the Netherlands each contributed 7.8%. Together, these three countries made up 51.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Northern Europe's leguminous vegetable exports in value terms have fallen for the second year running. In 2020, export value reached 12.1 million US dollars, down 56.6% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 68.6%, averaging an annual decline of 32.0%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 41.5 million US dollars, which saw a 7.8% increase that year.

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

During 2017-2020, Egypt, the Netherlands, and Sudan played significant but not dominant roles as buyers of Northern Europe's leguminous vegetables in value terms. Egypt accounted for 24.8% of export value, the Netherlands for 11.6%, and Sudan for 7.8%. Their combined share totaled 44.2% of total exports.

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

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

Imports leguminous vegetables to Northern Europe

Imports in kind, t

Northern Europe's leguminous vegetable imports have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 82 047 tons, showing a solid 10.5% rise compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 17.9%, with an average annual increase of 5.6%.

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

An analysis of imports in volume from 2017 to 2020 reveals a diverse market distribution. Kenya led with 19.4% of imports, followed by Guatemala at 8.4% and Spain at 6.8%. Together, these three countries accounted for 34.7% of total flows, while the remaining 65.3% came from various other partners.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Northern Europe's leguminous vegetable imports in value terms amounted to 248.7 million US dollars, up 5.6% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 12%, averaging 3.8% growth per year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 2.5% drop, while 2018 saw the highest increase at 8.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya, Guatemala, and the Netherlands formed the core of Northern Europe's leguminous vegetable imports in value terms. Kenya accounted for 28.3% of import value, Guatemala for 14.8%, and the Netherlands for 8.6%. Collectively, they represented 51.6% of total import flows.

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

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