Leguminous vegetables market in SADC

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh leguminous vegetables in SADC varied between 2018 and 2023. Volume fell to 84 000 t in 2019, then recovered to 93 000 t in 2020. After stabilizing around 92 000 t in 2021, it climbed to nearly 99 000 t in 2022 before easing to 95 000 t in 2023.

Broader vegetable market dynamics provide relevant context. In 2021, the sector was influenced by consumer preferences, income levels, and the functioning of national fresh produce markets for price discovery. By 2024, evolving trends—including growing demand for fresh, high-quality produce and plant-based diets—alongside variable weather impacting harvest quality, shaped market conditions.

Trade flows were a significant component of market movement. Imports surged from 2019, reaching over 29 000 t in 2022, while exports grew until 2022 before a sharp contraction in 2023. Domestic production generally rose from 2020 through 2022, though it declined in 2023.

Production leguminous vegetables in SADC

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

In 2019, SADC produced 76 416 tons of leguminous vegetables, marking the lowest output during the period. Production then rebounded in 2020 to 85 667 tons, representing a 12.1% increase from the previous year. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 94 867 tons. The most significant year-over-year decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 19.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2019, the value of leguminous vegetable production in SADC stood at a lower level before increasing to 79 773 thousand US dollars in 2020, a moderate 4.5% rise from the previous year. Over the four-year period from 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 10%, averaging an annualized increase of 3.2%. The peak value was achieved in 2018 at 95 480 thousand US dollars. The largest annual decline happened in 2019 with a 20.1% drop, while the biggest increase occurred in 2018 with a 31.7% surge.

Annual dynamics of production in SADC in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports leguminous vegetables from SADC

Exports in kind, t

SADC's exports of leguminous vegetables showed mixed trends in recent years. In 2018, exports reached their lowest point at 13 116 tons, representing a substantial 57.9% decline from the previous year. However, exports recovered in 2020 to 16 134 tons, marking a 21.3% increase from 2019 and the second consecutive year of growth. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 48.2%, which translates to an average annual decline of 19.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya was the top destination for SADC's leguminous vegetable exports, accounting for 32.2% of total export volume. India followed with 16.1%, and Uganda with 5.9%. Together, these three countries represented 54.2% of all export flows during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of SADC's leguminous vegetable exports followed a similar pattern to volume trends. In 2018, export value hit its lowest point at 13 201 thousand US dollars, reflecting a 49.3% decrease from the previous year. By 2020, exports had recovered to 15 024 thousand US dollars, up 13.1% from 2019 and marking the second straight year of growth. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value declined by 42.3%, averaging an annual decrease of 16.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, SADC's leguminous vegetable exports in value terms were relatively evenly distributed among multiple partners. The Netherlands was the largest destination with 14.9% of export value, followed by India with 13.3%, and the United Kingdom with 9.4%. These three countries together accounted for just 37.6% of total export value, indicating a diversified export market.

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

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

Imports leguminous vegetables to SADC

Imports in kind, t

SADC's imports of leguminous vegetables showed considerable volatility between 2017 and 2020. In 2018, imports reached their lowest level at 10 170 tons, representing a 46.3% decline from the previous year. Imports then surged in 2019 with a remarkable 106.7% increase before reaching 23 844 tons in 2020, which was 13.4% higher than in 2019. The difference between the peak in 2020 and the trough in 2018 was 2.3 times, highlighting the market's volatility.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Uganda was the most significant supplier of leguminous vegetables to SADC, accounting for 23.2% of import volume. The United States followed with 4.8%, and the United Arab Emirates with 2.5%. However, these three suppliers together represented only 30.5% of total imports, with the remaining 69.5% coming from numerous other trading partners.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of SADC's leguminous vegetable imports followed a different pattern than volume. In 2018, import value reached its lowest point at 6 747 thousand US dollars, declining 18.3% from the previous year. Import value then peaked in 2019 at 8 845 thousand US dollars, representing a 31.1% increase, before falling to 7 430 thousand US dollars in 2020, a 16.0% drop from 2019. Overall, between 2017 and 2020, import value decreased by 10%, averaging an annual decline of 3.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, SADC's imports of leguminous vegetables in value terms were highly dispersed across multiple sources. Kenya was the largest supplier with 10.0% of import value, followed by Uganda with 5.9%, and the United States with 5.3%. Together, these three countries accounted for just 21.2% of total import value, with the remaining 78.8% distributed among a wide range of other trading partners.

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

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