MERCOSUR: Lentil Market 2025

Lentil Market Size in MERCOSUR

The MERCOSUR lentil market reduced to $X in 2022, falling by -5.7% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.3% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2021 to 2022, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Lentil Production in MERCOSUR

In value terms, lentil production expanded notably to $X in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production continues to indicate modest growth. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2014 when the production volume increased by 180% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2015 to 2022, production growth remained at a lower figure.

The country with the largest volume of lentil production was Argentina (X tons), accounting for 79% of total volume. Moreover, lentil production in Argentina exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Ecuador (X tons), tenfold. The third position in this ranking was held by Peru (X tons), with a 7.5% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in Argentina stood at +1.7%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Ecuador (+0.8% per year) and Peru (-3.6% per year).

In 2022, the average lentil yield in MERCOSUR soared to X kg per ha, with an increase of 20% against the previous year. In general, the yield, however, showed a pronounced shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when the yield increased by 64% against the previous year. The level of yield peaked at X tons per ha in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2022, the yield failed to regain momentum. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

In 2022, approx. X ha of lentils were harvested in MERCOSUR; growing by 5.3% against the year before. The total harvested area indicated a temperate expansion from 2012 to 2022: its figure increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, lentil harvested area decreased by -12.3% against 2019 indices. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 with an increase of 52% against the previous year. As a result, the harvested area reached the peak level of X ha. From 2020 to 2022, the growth of the lentil harvested area remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Lentil Exports

Exports in MERCOSUR

In 2022, shipments abroad of lentils increased by 927% to X tons, rising for the third consecutive year after three years of decline. Overall, exports saw a pronounced expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when exports increased by 1,803%. The volume of export peaked in 2022 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, lentil exports soared to $X in 2022. Over the period under review, exports enjoyed measured growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when exports increased by 1,561% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Argentina prevails in exports structure, amounting to X tons, which was near 97% of total exports in 2022. Colombia (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Exports from Argentina increased at an average annual rate of +3.5% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, Colombia (+10.2%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Colombia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in MERCOSUR, with a CAGR of +10.2% from 2012-2022. The shares of the largest exporters remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Argentina ($X) remains the largest lentil supplier in MERCOSUR, comprising 95% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Colombia ($X), with a 1.6% share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Argentina stood at +4.6%.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in MERCOSUR stood at $X per ton in 2022, reducing by -26.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price, however, posted a modest expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 an increase of 75% against the previous year. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Argentina ($X per ton), while Colombia stood at $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Argentina (+1.1%).

Lentil Imports

Imports in MERCOSUR

In 2022, approx. X tons of lentils were imported in MERCOSUR; with an increase of 3.3% on the year before. Total imports indicated pronounced growth from 2012 to 2022: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports decreased by -24.9% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 49%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, imports failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, lentil imports declined to $X in 2022. Total imports indicated a mild increase from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, imports decreased by -8.5% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 63%. The level of import peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

In 2022, Colombia (X tons) and Peru (X tons) represented the main importers of lentils in MERCOSUR, together comprising 71% of total imports. Ecuador (X tons) took the next position in the ranking, followed by Brazil (X tons) and Venezuela (X tons). All these countries together took approx. 24% share of total imports. Chile (X tons) took a minor share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Peru (with a CAGR of +5.7%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Colombia ($X), Peru ($X) and Brazil ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together accounting for 75% of total imports.

Brazil, with a CAGR of +7.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

In 2022, the import price in MERCOSUR amounted to $X per ton, declining by -8.4% against the previous year. In general, the import price saw a slight shrinkage. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 when the import price increased by 33%. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2016; however, from 2017 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Brazil ($X per ton), while Peru ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Brazil (+5.1%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform