Leguminous vegetables market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The Spanish market for fresh leguminous vegetables experienced significant volume shifts from 2018 to 2023, reaching a high of 422 thousand tonnes in 2021. This peak was facilitated by updated EU-aligned commercialisation rules that mandated origin labeling, boosting consumer confidence alongside a broader trend of rising per capita vegetable consumption observed since 2018.

Market value demonstrated resilience, growing to $704.6 million in 2023 despite a volume drop to 341 thousand tonnes, as consumer preferences shifted toward fresh, healthy, and convenient products. Investment in sector modernisation and the expansion of e‑commerce for legumes began altering market dynamics, with new suppliers entering and existing companies increasing production capacity.

Regulatory adjustments under Real Decreto 92/2024 fine-tuned CAP management for 2023‑2027, supporting the sector’s emphasis on quality and sustainability. While per‑capita consumption of certain pod vegetables declined, overall demand for vegetables remained stable, underpinned by health‑conscious trends and Spain’s continued leadership in European horticulture.

Production leguminous vegetables in Spain

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Spain was among the world's top producers of leguminous vegetables from 2017 to 2020, ranking 10th globally by production volume.

Top producers of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

In 2020, Spain produced 322.6 thousand tons of leguminous vegetables, marking a slight year-over-year decline of 1.5%. Production hit its lowest point in 2018 at 299.1 thousand tons, with the largest annual drop of 8.6% occurring that year. The biggest increase was recorded in 2019, when production rose by 9.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Leguminous vegetable production in Spain declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, with output valued at 562.2 million US dollars, down 4.4% from 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, production fell by 21.1%, translating to a compound annual growth rate of -7.6%.

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

Exports leguminous vegetables from Spain

Exports in kind, K t

Spain's exports of leguminous vegetables grew for the third year in a row in 2020, reaching 68.8 thousand tons—a solid 19.7% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 163.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 38.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and France were the core markets for Spain's leguminous vegetable exports in volume terms. The United Kingdom accounted for 24.6% of exports, the Netherlands for 20.3%, and France for 15.4%, together representing 60.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Spain's leguminous vegetable exports increased in value for the third consecutive year in 2020, totaling 119.9 million US dollars—a 16.2% rise year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 111.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 28.3%.

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

In the 2017–2020 period, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and France were the main destinations for Spain's leguminous vegetable exports in value terms. The Netherlands held a 24.7% share, the United Kingdom 24.0%, and France 15.1%, collectively accounting for 63.9% of total export value.

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

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

Imports leguminous vegetables to Spain

Imports in kind, K t

Spain's imports of leguminous vegetables reached 133.4 thousand tons in 2020, up 8.2% from 2019. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports increased by 16.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.1%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 146.7 thousand tons, which saw the largest annual increase of 27.8%. In contrast, imports fell by 16.0% in 2019, marking the steepest decline.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Morocco and France were the primary sources for Spain's leguminous vegetable imports in volume terms, jointly making up 97.8% of total imports, while other partners accounted for the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Spain's imports of leguminous vegetables declined in value for the second consecutive year in 2020, totaling 164.5 million US dollars—a moderate 6.9% drop from the previous year. Over the 2017–2020 period, import value decreased by 8.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.0%. The peak value was in 2018 at 211.1 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 17.2%. The sharpest decline occurred in 2019, with a 16.3% fall.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Morocco dominated Spain's leguminous vegetable imports in value terms, capturing 89.3% of total import flows, while other countries held much smaller shares.

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

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