Beans market in ASEAN

Earlier Report Observations

The ASEAN fresh or chilled beans market volume fluctuated between 1.31 million tons and 1.42 million tons from 2018 to 2023. After a moderate rise to 1.35 million tons in 2019, consumption dipped slightly the following year before surging by over 80 000 tons in 2021. The market reached its peak at 1.41 million tons in 2022, then contracted by 3.4% to 1.36 million tons in 2023.

By 2024, several trends shaped the regional environment. Urbanization and modern retail expansion in Vietnam, Thailand, and Indonesia opened new opportunities for legume imports, including potential spillover effects for fresh beans. Consumer demand was bolstered by a growing preference for plant-based proteins due to health consciousness, while price volatility persisted due to weather impacts on crops and global supply chain disruptions. Packaging innovations, such as cost-effective plastic bags, also aimed to improve freshness and reduce distribution costs.

Production beans in ASEAN

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of beans, 2017-2020

World map of production of beans, 2017-2020

In 2018, ASEAN bean production reached its lowest point at 1,314 thousand tonnes, marking a 1.6% decline. The following year, 2019, saw production peak at 1,345 thousand tonnes, representing a 2.4% increase. By 2020, production had slightly decreased to 1,330 thousand tonnes, down 1.1% from the previous year.

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

Exports beans from ASEAN

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. In 2018, bean exports from ASEAN hit their lowest level at 6,488 tonnes, with a 17.3% decline. By 2020, exports surged to 21,617 tonnes, a 118.7% year-over-year increase, marking the peak. This resulted in a 3.3-fold variation between the 2018 minimum and 2020 maximum.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020, t

Analysis of bean exports in volume from 2017 to 2020 reveals a broad distribution across many markets. China accounted for 30.6% of exports, the United Kingdom for 2.1%, and India for 1.6%. Together, these three countries represented only 34.3% of total flows, with the remaining 65.7% going to other partners.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2018, ASEAN's bean export value was at its lowest, reaching 12,430 thousand US dollars. The following year, 2019, saw the peak at 16,711 thousand US dollars, a 34.4% increase. By 2020, exports dropped to 12,550 thousand US dollars, down 24.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from ASEAN in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, ASEAN beans were traded with numerous countries. Even the largest destinations—China, the United Kingdom, and India—together accounted for only 29.3% of total exports in value terms, highlighting a diverse market.

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

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

Imports beans to ASEAN

Imports in kind, t

The market showed volatility during the observed period. In 2017, bean imports to ASEAN bottomed out, while in 2019, they peaked at 9,959 tonnes, a 258.4% increase. By 2020, imports fell to 2,066 tonnes, down 79.2% from 2019. This created a 6.7-fold difference between the 2017 minimum and 2019 maximum.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to ASEAN in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, bean imports to ASEAN in volume were widely dispersed across partner countries. Madagascar contributed 1.8% of imports, India 1.3%, and Ethiopia 0.9%. Combined, these three countries represented just 4.0% of total flows, indicating a highly diversified sourcing pattern.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2019, ASEAN's bean import value experienced its largest decline at 2.7%. By 2020, imports rose to 17,410 thousand US dollars, up 8.9% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 11.4%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 3.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to ASEAN in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, India, Kenya, and Ethiopia were among the largest suppliers of beans to ASEAN in value terms, accounting for 1.7%, 1.3%, and 1.1% of imports, respectively. However, together they represented just 4.1% of total imports, underscoring a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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