Argentina’s legume sector is experiencing a historic high, with strong growth in production and promising global demand. As industry leaders gathered in Salta for a technical and commercial update, the numbers speak volumes: legumes are thriving like never before.
Record Campaign for Legumes
According to the Rosario Board of Trade (BCR), Argentina is headed toward a record-breaking 2024/25 legume harvest, thanks to expanded acreage and favorable conditions.
The Ministry of Agriculture reports that 880,200 hectares were planted with legumes—the highest ever recorded. That’s a:
- 10% increase over last season
- 17% above the five-year average
- 30% growth over the past six years
Product Breakdown
Of the 81,300 new hectares compared to the prior year:
- Chickpeas led the way with a 35% increase (+39,000 ha), reaching 151,500 ha
- Beans grew by 3% (+18,400 ha) to 590,000 ha
- Lentils surged 96% (+15,500 ha) to 31,500 ha
- Peas rose 8% (+8,400 ha) to 107,500 ha
This expansion is expected to result in a 52% year-over-year increase in total legume production, hitting 1.3 million tons—a historic milestone.
Beans Lead the Legume Category
The standout story is the dramatic recovery in bean production, bouncing back from the worst harvest in six years. Beans are expected to reach 770,000 tons—second highest on record.
Other Highlights:
- Chickpeas: Production soared 66% to 193,600 tons—the highest ever recorded
- Peas: Up 20% to 257,900 tons, and 34% above the five-year average
- Lentils: Grew 89% to 30,800 tons, though still well below the 2021/22 record
Yield improvements played a key role, especially for chickpeas and peas, which also benefited from expanded planting.
Legume Exports: Mixed Signals
Despite higher output, exports have yet to catch up, partly because the bean harvest is just starting. From January to April 2025, Argentina exported:
- 139,600 tons of legumes
- Worth USD 77.6 million
- Down 9% in volume and 26% in value vs. last year
Export Breakdown (Jan–Apr 2025):
- Beans: Just 12,200 tons, down 74% YoY
- Lentils: Down 74% in volume to 1,400 tons
- Chickpeas: Stable at 50,000 tons, but value dropped 9%
- Peas: Up 54% to nearly 76,000 tons, with value rising 43% to USD 31.2 million
Peas were the exception, with strong demand—especially from China, which opened to Argentine peas in 2020.
Top Markets for Argentine Legumes
In the first quarter of 2025, the top importers of Argentine legumes were:
- 🇨🇳 China – 12%
- 🇧🇷 Brazil – 10%
- 🇮🇹 Italy – 7%
- 🇸🇳 Senegal – 7%
- 🇪🇸 Spain – 6%
Looking Ahead: Global Trends Favor Argentina
According to the FAO and OECD, global demand for legumes is set to rise steadily. Key projections include:
- Global per capita consumption increasing from 7 kg in 2024 to 8.6 kg by 2033
- World trade in legumes reaching 22 million tons by 2033 (up from 19 million in the past decade)
This presents a strategic opportunity for Argentina—already proving its strength as a high-quality, high-volume legume producer.
Conclusion
With production hitting new highs and international demand on the rise, Argentina’s legume industry is poised for global success. As challenges in logistics and pricing stabilize, the full export potential of the 2024/25 harvest may soon be realized.
Stay tuned as this humble but powerful food group continues to break records and nourish markets worldwide.
