Beans market in Bhutan

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market volume for fresh beans in Bhutan grew from 2 258 t to 3 103 t. This increase coincided with the implementation of the government's Flagship Program for organic sector development (2018-2023), which promoted sustainable agriculture and likely supported domestic production expansion. Adverse weather conditions and limited modern techniques were noted as challenges for soybean yield in 2018, potentially tempering faster growth for legume crops more broadly.

Following the 2020 peak, the market contracted sharply to 2 095 t in 2021 and further to 1 432 t in 2022, before stabilizing at 1 496 t in 2023. During this period, national dialogues began to shape the Agrifood Sector Strategy 2034, focusing on adapting agricultural development to environmental and economic challenges, which reflected a systemic response to production difficulties affecting the market.

In the later years of the period, the regulatory framework continued to evolve with the Bhutan Agriculture and Food Regulatory Authority (BAFRA) ensuring food safety and quality. By 2025, India exempted exports of essential agricultural commodities to Bhutan from all restrictions, facilitating supply, while Bhutan concurrently banned imports of certain vegetables, including beans, from India due to pesticide residue concerns, setting the stage for shifts in market access and food safety oversight.

Production beans in Bhutan

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of beans, 2018-2021

World map of production of beans, 2018-2021

Bhutan's bean production saw a two-year increase before declining. In 2021, the country produced 2 096 tonnes of beans, which represents a 33.9% decrease compared to 2020. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, production fell by 7.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2020 at 3 168 tonnes. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when production grew by 28.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Bhutan in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports beans from Bhutan

Exports in kind, kg

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Export levels fluctuated significantly, with a 18-fold difference between the peak in 2020 and the low in 2021. In 2021, Bhutan's bean exports totaled 3 600 kilograms, marking a sharp decline of 94.5% compared to 2020. The highest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 65 270 kilograms. The largest year-on-year increase took place in 2019, when exports grew by 132.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Bhutan in kind, 2018-2021, kg

From 2018 to 2021, India was almost exclusively the destination for Bhutan's bean exports in volume terms, accounting for 100.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Bhutan in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Export values varied by 37 times between the high in 2020 and the low in 2021. In 2021, the value of bean exports from Bhutan reached 985 US dollars, representing a steep decrease of 97.3% compared to the previous year. The maximum value was recorded in 2020 at 35 997 US dollars. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, when export value grew by 146.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Bhutan in value, 2018-2021, $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, India was the dominant and nearly sole market for Bhutan's bean exports in value terms, accounting for 99.8% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Bhutan in value, 2018-2021

Imports beans to Bhutan

Imports in kind, kg

Volatility characterized the market behavior during these years. The highest import volume was recorded in 2021, while the lowest occurred in 2019, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 1 540 times. In 2021, Bhutan imported 3 080 kilograms of beans, showing a sudden rise of 1 359.7% from the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 2 kilograms. The largest year-on-year decline took place in 2019, when imports fell by 99.8%. The largest increase occurred in 2020, when imports grew by 10 450.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bhutan in kind, 2018-2021, kg

From 2018 to 2021, India accounted for almost all of Bhutan's bean imports in volume terms, with a share of 100.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Bhutan in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import values varied 726 times between the high in 2018 and the low in 2019. In 2021, the value of bean imports to Bhutan registered 810 US dollars, up by 2 197.6% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 1 US dollar. The largest year-on-year decline occurred in 2019, when import value fell by 99.9%. The largest increase took place in 2020, when import value grew by 2 381.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Bhutan in value, 2018-2021, $ US

Throughout 2018 to 2021, the country structure of imports in value terms was shaped primarily by India and Thailand, which together accounted for 100.0% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Bhutan in value, 2018-2021