Leguminous vegetables market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh leguminous vegetables in Sub-Saharan Africa expanded significantly from 317 000 t in 2018 to 439 000 t in 2022, before stabilizing at 438 000 t in 2023. A key driver of growth in 2021 was the interplay of consumer demand factors, including shifting preferences and variations in per capita income, which influenced purchasing patterns for fresh produce alongside typical supply dynamics shaped by climate and seasonal production cycles.

In the later part of the period, supply-side influences became more pronounced. Market dynamics were increasingly affected by factors such as adverse weather conditions impacting harvest quality and availability, as well as structural shifts in input costs. Concurrently, evolving consumer interest in fresh, high-quality produce and plant-based diets supported ongoing demand, while challenges in market access for small-scale farmers continued to influence local supply conditions.

Production leguminous vegetables in Sub-Saharan Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa produced 363.4 thousand tons of leguminous vegetables, representing a gradual increase of 5.0% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 19.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 2.4%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2018 at 16.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output of leguminous vegetables in Sub-Saharan Africa was valued at 761.5 million US dollars, showing a moderate improvement of 3.8% from the year before. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 46.4%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 13.5%. The largest decline was in 2019 at 0.6%, and the largest increase was in 2018 at 41.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports leguminous vegetables from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa exported 55,847 tons of leguminous vegetables, reflecting a modest reduction of 5.5% compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 23.6%, equating to an annualized decline of 8.6%. The minimum volume was recorded in 2018 at 51,960 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 28.9%, while the largest increase was in 2019 at 13.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

The partner structure for exports in kind from 2017 to 2020 was fragmented, with the Netherlands accounting for 19.6% of exports, the United Kingdom for 13.0%, and France for 7.9%. Together, these three countries represented only 40.5% of total flows, and no single country held a dominant share.

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

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa exported 117.0 million US dollars worth of leguminous vegetables, which is 6.7% lower than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 6.7%, with an annualized rate of decline of 2.3%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 108.3 million US dollars. The largest decline was in 2018 at 13.7%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 15.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the three main markets for leguminous vegetables from Sub-Saharan Africa in value terms were the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and France, which together absorbed 70.6% of total exports.

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

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020

Imports leguminous vegetables to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, foreign supplies of leguminous vegetables to Sub-Saharan Africa reached 21,668 tons, which is 6.1% lower than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 3.2%, with an annualized decline of 1.1%. The minimum volume was recorded in 2018 at 14,354 tons, while the maximum was in 2019 at 23,086 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 35.9%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 60.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the largest group of suppliers of leguminous vegetables to Sub-Saharan Africa in kind included the United States with 3.4% of imports, Italy with 2.4%, and the United Arab Emirates with 2.3%. However, their combined contribution was limited to 8.1% of total imports, reflecting a diversified country structure.

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

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, cross-border shipments of leguminous vegetables to Sub-Saharan Africa totaled 13.3 million US dollars, down by 3.0% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 12.9%, with an annualized decline of 4.5%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 12.5 million US dollars. The largest decline was in 2018 at 17.8%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 9.2%.

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

The analysis of imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 shows a broad distribution across many markets. The United States accounted for 6.5% of imports, Italy for 4.1%, and the United Arab Emirates for 3.4%. Together, these three countries represented only 14.0% of total flows, with the remaining 86.0% coming from other partners.

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

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020