Leguminous vegetables market in South America

Earlier Report Observations

In 2018, legume production in South America faced efficiency challenges, such as low yields and uncompetitive prices, as observed in Chile. By 2019, consumer preferences began shifting toward higher-value products, leading to a drop in sales volume in kind but a rise in market revenue. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 triggered a surge in demand for legumes due to stockpiling during lockdowns, driving a significant increase in market volume.

Growth in the following period was supported by the 'Km 0' local consumption trend, particularly in Argentina, where buyers favored fresh and seasonal vegetables. In 2022, the global rise in fertilizer and energy prices linked to the war in Ukraine increased production costs, putting pressure on profitability and affecting the market value, even as physical consumption remained stable.

By 2023, the market continued its transformation: consumption volume in tons declined, but revenue grew by 6% as consumers across the region, following trends in Brazil and Argentina, increasingly purchased organic, local, and value-added leguminous vegetables, pushing up average prices.

Production leguminous vegetables in South America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

In South America, leguminous vegetable production reached 582.8 thousand tonnes in 2020, showing a moderate increase of 5.9% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 9.1%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 2.9%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 3.8%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 7.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

South America's leguminous vegetable production continued to grow for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 1,951 million US dollars, marking a 6.9% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 3.8%, corresponding to an average annual growth rate of 1.3%. The lowest value was observed in 2018 at 1,815 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 3.5%.

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

Exports leguminous vegetables from South America

Exports in kind, t

Cross-border shipments of leguminous vegetables from South America increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports amounted to 9,539 tonnes, reflecting a 2.8% rise compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 66.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the main destinations for South America's leguminous vegetable exports in volume terms were the United States (23.8% of exports), the United Kingdom (21.0%), and the Netherlands (13.5%). Together, these three countries accounted for 58.3% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Cross-border shipments of leguminous vegetables from South America rose for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the export value reached 31,938 thousand US dollars, representing a 3.8% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 58.7%, equating to an average annual growth rate of 16.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom (34.5% of exports in value terms), the United States (32.9%), and the Netherlands (22.5%) remained the primary buyers of leguminous vegetables from South America. Collectively, they constituted 90.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports leguminous vegetables to South America

Imports in kind, t

The market exhibited volatility during these years. Import volumes reached their lowest point in 2018 at 452 tonnes and peaked in 2020 at 1,509 tonnes, resulting in a 3.3-fold difference between the high and low points. In 2020, imports increased by 52.7% compared to 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 with a drop of 39.1%, while the most significant increase was in 2019 at 118.6%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the United States (12.3% of imports in volume terms), Canada (1.3%), and Panama (0.7%) were the leading sources for leguminous vegetable imports into South America. Together, they accounted for 14.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market demonstrated volatility over the observed period. Import values varied significantly, with the lowest point in 2018 at 1,171 thousand US dollars and the highest in 2020 at 3,235 thousand US dollars, showing a 2.8-fold difference. In 2020, imports rose by 8.1% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 6.0%, while the most substantial increase occurred in 2019 at 155.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States (64.7% of imports in value terms), Panama (4.5%), and Canada (2.1%) dominated the import structure for leguminous vegetables into South America. Combined, they represented 71.3% of total import flows.

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

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