Canned Legumes Market – Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Product (Beans, Peas, Chickpeas, and Others), By Category (Conventional and Organic), By Distribution Channel (Online, Offline), By Region, By Competition 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 4.21 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	4.81%
Fastest Growing Segment	Beans
Largest Market	Europe
Market Size (2031)	USD 5.58 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Canned Legumes Market will grow from USD 4.21 Billion in 2025 to USD 5.58 Billion by 2031 at a 4.81% CAGR. Canned legumes are defined as processed pulses, including beans, peas, lentils, and chickpeas, that are blanched and hermetically sealed in metal containers to ensure commercial sterility and long-term preservation. The market growth is primarily supported by the fundamental consumer need for convenient and shelf-stable plant-based protein sources which offer immediate consumption utility without the preparation time required for dried alternatives. Furthermore, the essential role of these non-perishable goods in national food security strategies provides a sustained demand base that functions independently of fleeting dietary fashions.

A significant challenge that may impede market expansion is the volatility in raw material costs driven by climate-induced crop yield fluctuations, which creates financial instability for manufacturers relying on consistent input prices. This procurement difficulty is intensified by the high volume of cross-border trade required to satisfy processing needs. According to the International Grains Council, in 2024, total world import demand for pulses reached 21.4 million tonnes, highlighting the intense global competition for the essential raw materials necessary to sustain the canned food processing industry.

Key Market Drivers

The rising global adoption of plant-based and vegan diets is fundamentally reshaping the market as consumers increasingly seek nutritious and non-animal protein alternatives. Canned legumes, such as chickpeas and kidney beans, have become essential staples in these dietary regimes due to their high protein content and ability to mimic the texture of meat in diverse culinary applications. This structural shift towards vegetable proteins is driving significant retail growth for specific legume varieties. According to Waitrose & Partners, December 2023, in the 'Food & Drink Report 2023-24', consumer demand for plant-based heroes surged significantly, with sales of butterbeans and chickpeas increasing by 64% and 51% respectively over the preceding year.

Increasing consumer preference for convenience and ready-to-eat foods further accelerates market momentum, driven by rapid urbanization and hectic lifestyles that limit time for meal preparation. Unlike dried pulses which require lengthy soaking and cooking, canned legumes offer immediate utility and long shelf stability, aligning perfectly with the modern demand for quick and nutritious meal solutions. This reliance on processed formats is reflected in the financial metrics of major industry players. According to Bonduelle, October 2024, in the '2023-2024 Annual Results', the company's canned operating segment generated a substantial revenue of 1,120.1 million euros, highlighting the scale of the processed vegetable sector. Furthermore, the broader category resilience is evident in sales data; according to The Grocer, April 2024, in the 'Ambient and Canned Trends 2024' report, value sales for the canned and ambient category increased by 12.2% in the United Kingdom, confirming the sustained reliance on shelf-stable provisions.

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Key Market Challenges

The volatility in raw material costs, driven by climate-induced crop yield fluctuations, serves as a substantial barrier to the expansion of the Global Canned Legumes Market. Manufacturers in this sector typically operate with tight profit margins and depend on stable input prices to keep their products competitively priced against dried alternatives. When erratic weather patterns cause sudden contractions in the harvest of staple crops such as beans and peas, the immediate result is a spike in procurement costs. This financial instability hampers the ability of canners to engage in long-term production planning or invest in capacity expansion, as capital is diverted to cover rising operational expenses. Consequently, the inability to maintain consistent shelf prices can alienate cost-sensitive consumers, directly reducing sales volume.

The impact of this supply chain disruption is evident in recent production metrics which highlight the severity of these fluctuations. According to the Global Pulse Confederation, in 2024, yellow pea production in major exporting regions like Russia declined by 20% compared to the previous year due to adverse weather conditions during the harvest. Such significant deficits in raw material availability force processors to compete aggressively for limited stock, driving up industry-wide costs and effectively stifling the market's overall growth potential despite the underlying consumer demand.

Key Market Trends

The emergence of culinary-forward global flavor infusions is revitalizing the market by transforming legumes from basic staples into premium gastronomic ingredients. Brands are increasingly launching pre-seasoned formulations with sophisticated profiles, such as gourmet jarred beans with artisanal sauces, to appeal to younger consumers seeking variety beyond standard brine-packed options. This shift towards taste-centric products allows manufacturers to premiumize their portfolios and drive value growth in a traditionally commoditized sector. According to Food Navigator, June 2025, in the 'Beans get bold: Meet the challenger brand disrupting pulses' article, the premium brand Bold Bean Co recorded a sales growth of 259.5% in 2024, highlighting the massive consumer appetite for high-quality, culinary-focused legume innovations.

The adoption of BPA-free and eco-friendly packaging solutions represents another transformative trend as manufacturers respond to intensifying environmental scrutiny. Companies are aggressively removing chemical additives from can linings and optimizing container materials to ensure full recyclability, directly addressing the ethical concerns of eco-conscious shoppers. This transition not only ensures regulatory compliance but also serves as a critical brand differentiator in a competitive retail landscape. According to Bonduelle, August 2025, in the '2024-2025 Sustainability Report', the company achieved a milestone where more than 98% of its products are now distributed in recyclable or reusable packaging, confirming the industry-wide commitment to sustainable preservation formats.

Segmental Insights

The Beans segment is currently identified as the fastest growing category within the Global Canned Legumes Market, primarily driven by the accelerating global shift toward plant-based protein sources. Market analysis indicates that health-conscious consumers are increasingly prioritizing beans for their dense nutritional profile, particularly their high fiber and protein content, as a viable alternative to meat. This expansion is further supported by the superior convenience of canned packaging, which eliminates the extensive preparation time required for dried legumes. Consequently, the combination of culinary versatility, affordability, and ready-to-eat utility continues to fuel the rapid adoption of canned beans worldwide.

Regional Insights

Europe maintains a dominant position in the Global Canned Legumes Market, primarily driven by a widespread consumer shift toward sustainable, plant-based diets and high-protein meat alternatives. The region benefits from a mature retail infrastructure where major supermarket chains extensively stock diverse, convenient, and shelf-stable legume products to meet the needs of time-constrained households. Furthermore, rigorous quality and safety standards upheld by institutions such as the European Food Safety Authority foster high consumer trust. This combination of evolving dietary habits, demand for convenience, and a robust regulatory framework secures Europe's leadership in the sector.

Recent Developments

• In May 2025, Bush's Beans executed a significant product launch through a licensing collaboration with BBC Studios, the distributor of the animated series Bluey. The company introduced "Bush's Bluey Baked Beans," a new canned product line featuring the popular character branding to attract family-oriented consumers. This partnership leveraged the high visibility of the entertainment property to drive engagement in the canned legume aisle, specifically targeting households with young children. The launch was accompanied by a multichannel marketing campaign designed to position canned beans as a fun and nutritious mealtime solution for families, reinforcing the brand's leadership in the market.
• In September 2024, Bold Bean Co disrupted the preserved legumes market by launching a new range of gourmet baked beans in the United Kingdom. Moving away from the industrial standard of tin cans, the company introduced these products in glass jars to appeal to premium shoppers and emphasize ingredient quality. The range featured varieties such as Classic, Rich Tomato, and Smoky Chilli, all slow-cooked and prepared with selected heirloom beans. This launch was positioned to shift consumer perception of baked beans from a basic commodity to a high-quality pantry staple, directly competing with traditional canned options by offering a product focused on superior taste and sustainability.
• In August 2024, Bush's Beans announced a strategic collaboration with a specialty condiment brand, Mike's Hot Honey, to introduce a new flavored product within the canned legumes sector. This partnership resulted in the launch of "Grillin' Beans Hot Honey," a product that combined the bean manufacturer's signature slow-cooked navy beans with the partner's chili-infused honey. The initiative was designed to capitalize on the growing consumer trend for "swicy" (sweet and spicy) flavor profiles and to revitalize the baked bean category during the peak grilling season. This co-branded innovation highlighted the company's commitment to diversifying its canned legume portfolio through cross-category partnerships.
• In July 2024, Clark Foods expanded its presence in the Global Canned Legumes Market by launching its line of gourmet baked beans into the United States. Previously a dominant player in the Canadian sector, the company entered the U.S. retail landscape through distribution agreements with major natural food wholesalers. The new product range, designed to elevate the traditional canned bean category, introduced innovative flavors such as Maple Chipotle and Peach Honey Habanero. This strategic move aimed to capture American consumers seeking premium, convenient, and ready-to-eat legume options, thereby challenging established domestic brands with a fresh, culinary-focused approach to canned staples.

Key Market Players

• The Kraft Heinz Company
• Faribault Foods, Inc.
• Bush Brothers & Company
• Conagra Brands
• Goya Foods, Inc.
• Del Monte Food, Inc,
• Dole Food Company, Inc.
• RFG Foods.
• Bonduelle, B&G Foods, Inc.
• Tropicana Products, Inc.

By Product	By Category	By Distribution Channel	By Region
Beans Peas Chickpeas Others	Conventional and Organic	Online Offline	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Canned Legumes Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Canned Legumes Market, By Product:

• Beans
• Peas
• Chickpeas
• Others

• Canned Legumes Market, By Category:

• Conventional and Organic

• Canned Legumes Market, By Distribution Channel:

• Online
• Offline

• Canned Legumes Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE