Leguminous vegetables market in the Philippines

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh or chilled leguminous vegetables in the Philippines contracted from 133.4 thousand tons in 2018 to 126 thousand tons in 2023. This steady decline was primarily driven by persistent challenges in domestic production, including a high incidence of pests and diseases, poor farmer access to modern varieties and inputs, and inefficient marketing systems leading to distribution losses, as noted from 2018 onward.

Regulatory measures like Republic Act No. 10611 strengthened the food safety framework, affecting production standards. Government interventions, such as price monitoring and sourcing from alternative regions in 2022, aimed to address supply volatility. By 2023, reduced local output coincided with a reported rise in imports of pulses and legumes, supported by growing consumer preference for plant-based foods, though these factors did not reverse the overall market contraction.

Production leguminous vegetables in the Philippines

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the Philippines ranked as one of the world's leading producers of leguminous vegetables, holding the 22nd position by production volume.

Top producers of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

Leguminous vegetables production in the Philippines declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 128.0 K t, marking a 2.6% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 5.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.0%.

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

Exports leguminous vegetables from the Philippines

Exports in kind, kg

Export data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 433 kg and peaked in 2019 at 2 462 kg, representing a 5.7-fold difference. In 2020, shipments from the Philippines totaled 1 065 kg, a dramatic decline of 56.7% from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a growth of 469.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the Philippines in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, the primary buyers of leguminous vegetables from the Philippines were Saudi Arabia (56.8% of exports in kind), Australia (13.3%), and South Korea (7.5%). Together, these three countries accounted for 77.6% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, $ US

Market behavior during these years was characterized by volatility. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 592 US dollars and peaked in 2019 at 6 060 US dollars, showing a 10.2-fold difference. In 2020, cross-border shipments totaled 2 760 US dollars, a decrease of 54.5% from the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 69.6%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 with a growth of 923.6%.

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

During 2017-2020, the main destinations for leguminous vegetables exports from the Philippines in value terms were Saudi Arabia (49.4% of exports), South Korea (15.8%), and Australia (11.9%). This group collectively represented 77.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports leguminous vegetables to the Philippines

Imports in kind, kg

The import market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Volumes reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2018 at 19 788 kg, varying 9.7 times between these years. In 2020, imports amounted to 2 371 kg, a sharp decline of 82.9% compared to the previous year. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 with a growth of 865.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the Philippines in kind, 2017-2020, kg

From 2017 to 2020, the largest share of imports in kind came from Asia, not elsewhere specified (55.3%), Hong Kong (18.4%), and Thailand (12.2%). Together, these sources comprised 85.9% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

The import market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Volumes dropped to their minimum in 2017 and climbed to their maximum in 2019 at 34 275 US dollars, representing a 10.2-fold shift. In 2020, imports totaled 6 804 US dollars, an intense decrease of 80.1% compared to 2019. The largest increase was recorded in 2018 with a growth of 229.0%.

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

Over 2017-2020, the biggest contributors to imports in value terms were Asia, not elsewhere specified (50.3%), Thailand (20.6%), and Hong Kong (11.4%). These sources jointly accounted for 82.3% of total import flows.

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

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