A balanced diet is one of the most important factors in a healthy lifestyle. Leguminous crops are a reliable source of high-quality protein on our planet, which has a preventive effect against diseases such as cardiovascular, cancer, osteoporosis, diabetes and a number of others. The cultivation of this group of crops has a positive impact on the environment, as it reduces the use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers. The presented work presents data on the cultivation of these crops in various countries of the world, exports, as well as on their use as raw materials for the preparation of food products.