Leguminous vegetables market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled leguminous vegetables in Western Europe saw a sharp rise from 755 thousand tons in 2018 to 1,082 thousand tons in 2019, driven by increasing consumer preference for plant-based proteins and growing awareness of the health benefits of legumes. This demand surge was supported by the emergence of new product segments, such as clean-label snacks and plant-based ingredients, which expanded the use of legumes in various food applications.

Market volumes faced volatility in the following years, with a drop to 966 thousand tons in 2020 largely due to cultivation challenges including drought and diseases that affected yields. Recovery to 1,155 thousand tons in 2021 was bolstered by significant investment in processing technologies aimed at reducing anti-nutrients and improving protein quality, making legumes more viable for both food and feed markets. Institutional support from state bodies like the Federal Information Center for Agriculture also played a role in promoting legume cultivation and market development.

The market adjusted downward to 1,042 thousand tons in 2022 and 1,008 thousand tons in 2023, influenced by fluctuations in cultivation areas and global trade patterns, such as EU import shifts for products like chickpeas. Despite these fluctuations, ongoing trends like the shift toward regional and sustainable cultivation projects helped sustain overall consumption levels throughout the period.

Production leguminous vegetables in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

World map of production of leguminous vegetables, 2017-2020

In 2020, Western Europe produced 938 K t of leguminous vegetables, marking an 8.6% decrease compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 11.8%, which translates to an annualized decline of 4.1%. The only increase during this timeframe occurred in 2019, with a modest rise of 1.4%.

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

Exports leguminous vegetables from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited significant volatility during these years. Exports reached their highest point in 2018 at 480.3 K t, then dropped to their lowest in 2019 at 180.7 K t, representing a 2.7-fold difference. In 2020, deliveries of leguminous vegetables from Western Europe amounted to 209.0 K t, showing a notable increase of 15.6% over the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 62.4%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 139.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure in kind was diversified, with no single country holding a clearly dominant position. Spain accounted for 20.6% of exports in kind, Italy for 7.2%, and the United Kingdom for 3.5%, together making up just 31.3% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Western Europe exported leguminous vegetables worth 322.0 M $ US, representing a 10.0% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 12.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 4.1%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 1.8%.

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

Over the 2017–2020 period, Italy (10.3% of exports in value terms), Spain (7.6%), and the United Kingdom (7.5%) were the largest buyers of leguminous vegetables from Western Europe, but they did not dominate the market. Together, they accounted for 25.4% of total exports in value terms, against a backdrop of numerous smaller partners.

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

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

Imports leguminous vegetables to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Leguminous vegetable deliveries to Western Europe increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 237.2 K t, remaining virtually unchanged relative to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 14%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 4.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Morocco (14.1% of imports in kind), Spain (5.8%), and Kenya (4.2%) formed the largest group of suppliers of leguminous vegetables to Western Europe. However, their combined contribution was limited to 24.2% of total imports in kind, reflecting a diversified country structure.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Western Europe imported approximately 573.0 M $ US of leguminous vegetables, amounting to a 7.9% advance compared to the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports increased by 2.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 530.8 M $ US, while the maximum was in 2018 at 584.7 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 9.2%.

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

During 2017–2020, imports in value terms of leguminous vegetables to Western Europe were spread across a large number of markets. Morocco (23.7% of imports in value terms), Kenya (12.5%), and Spain (9.6%) jointly accounted for only 45.8% of total flows.

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

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