Beans market in Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of the bean market in Asia grew steadily from 23.1 million tonnes in 2018 to 24.1 million tonnes in 2023. This expansion was primarily driven by sustained government policies, such as the paddy field crop support project and strategic crop direct payment schemes, which encouraged farmers to increase cultivation area and boost domestic bean production.

In value terms, the market experienced a significant surge, rising from $37.4 billion in 2021 to $52.4 billion in 2023. This sharp increase was largely due to substantial price hikes for domestic beans, which were caused by poor harvests resulting from prolonged rainy seasons and strengthened household demand during the COVID-19 pandemic. The price of local beans remained consistently high, often triple that of imported beans.

Underlying these trends were structural shifts, with food consumption per capita declining while demand for processing uses grew slowly. The market's reliance on government stockpiling to absorb increased production highlighted an ongoing challenge in matching supply expansion with a broad consumer base, keeping domestic prices elevated.

Production beans in Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of beans, 2017-2020

World map of production of beans, 2017-2020

Asia's bean production has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 23 797 thousand tonnes of beans, representing a 1.1% increase from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production rose by 4.8%, which translates to an average annual growth rate of 1.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Asia's bean production value has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 37 711 million US dollars, marking a 1.1% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, the value fell by 6.9%, with an average annual decline of 2.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Asia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports beans from Asia

Exports in kind, t

Bean exports from Asia have increased for the third year running. In 2020, exports reached 91 859 tonnes, showing a substantial 291.1% rise from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 397.5%, averaging an annual growth rate of 70.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Russia, the United Kingdom, and Germany were the key markets for Asia's bean exports in volume terms. Russia accounted for 1.6% of exports, the United Kingdom for 0.6%, and Germany for 0.5%, together making up 2.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Asia's bean export value has risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 145.6 million US dollars, a 282.3% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, the value grew by 342.1%, with an average annual rate of 64.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the United Kingdom, Russia, and Germany were the main buyers of beans from Asia in value terms. The United Kingdom represented 2.5% of exports, Russia 1.2%, and Germany 0.7%, collectively accounting for 4.4% of total export value.

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

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

Imports beans to Asia

Imports in kind, t

After two years of growth, Asia's bean import volume declined. In 2020, imports totaled 10 233 tonnes, a 59.4% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, imports fell by 28.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -10.5%. The peak was in 2019 at 25 234 tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 51.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Egypt, Kenya, and Madagascar were the primary sources for Asia's bean imports in volume terms. Egypt contributed 4.6% of imports, Kenya 1.8%, and Madagascar 0.8%, together representing 7.3% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Asia's bean import value has decreased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports were valued at 44.7 million US dollars, a modest 3.8% drop from the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, the value declined by 3.1%, with an average annual decrease of 1.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 47.3 million US dollars, which also experienced the largest increase of 2.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya, Egypt, and the Netherlands were the leading sources for Asia's bean imports in value terms. Kenya accounted for 5.4% of imports, Egypt for 5.3%, and the Netherlands for 1.1%, jointly making up 11.8% of total import flows.

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

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