Beans market in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled beans in Eastern Europe showed considerable volatility between 2018 and 2023. After starting at 102.2 thousand tons in 2018, market volume contracted to 90.6 thousand tons the following year before recovering to 98.6 thousand tons in 2020. Production followed a similar trend, reaching 101.3 thousand tons in 2020 but then declining steadily to 91.6 thousand tons by 2023.

The market recovery in 2020 was primarily driven by a broader increase in domestic fresh vegetable production, supported by import substitution policies which boosted local output. However, the market contracted slightly to 96.8 thousand tons in 2021 as a sharp rise in soybean prices dampened consumer demand. Imports, which had fallen to 2.2 thousand tons in 2020, subsequently rebounded, reaching 6.6 thousand tons in 2023 and partially offsetting the decline in domestic production.

Regulatory developments also played a role. An export duty on soybeans was introduced in 2020, influencing trade flows. Furthermore, in 2024, the European Union implemented revised maximum residue limits for perchlorate in beans, a change that sets new quality standards for produce entering that market.

Production beans in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of beans, 2017-2020

World map of production of beans, 2017-2020

Following two years of decline, bean production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) rebounded. In 2019, output reached its lowest point at 91.4 thousand tonnes, but then surged by 10.8% in 2020 to 101.3 thousand tonnes. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 31.1%, with an average annual decline of 11.7%. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, when production decreased by 31.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

After two consecutive years of contraction, the value of bean production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) recovered. In 2019, production value hit a low of 125.8 million US dollars, but then jumped by 35.4% in 2020 to 170.3 million US dollars. Between 2017 and 2020, the total value declined by 28.4%, translating to an average annual decrease of 10.5%. The sharpest fall was recorded in 2019, with a 33.6% reduction.

Annual dynamics of production in Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports beans from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Exports in kind, t

Bean exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, export volume reached 4 875 tonnes, marking a 23.9% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports expanded by 173.1%, with an average annual growth rate of 39.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of bean exports in volume terms showed high diversification. Germany accounted for 12.7% of exports, Italy for 10.9%, and Estonia for 3.4%, together making up just 27.0% of total flows. The remaining 73.0% was spread across numerous smaller markets.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of bean exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) rose for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 8 197 thousand US dollars, up by 51.3% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value increased by 183.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 41.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

During the 2017-2020 period, key buyers of beans from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) included Germany, with 21.7% of export value, Italy with 10.3%, and the United Kingdom with 4.4%. However, their combined share reached only 36.4% of total export value, while the remaining 63.6% was distributed among many other trading partners.

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

World map of product's exports from Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020

Imports beans to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia)

Imports in kind, t

Bean imports into Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, import volume stood at 2 215 tonnes, down by 29.9% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 21.8%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 7.9%. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 3 519 tonnes, following a 24.3% increase that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020, t

Over the 2017-2020 period, bean imports in volume terms were spread across a broad range of partner countries. Kyrgyzstan contributed 7.7% of imports, Azerbaijan 4.2%, and Germany 4.0%, together accounting for just 16.0% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, foreign bean supplies to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) declined. In 2020, imports amounted to 6 253 thousand US dollars, reflecting a moderate 5.5% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, import value increased by 22.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 7.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 6 618 thousand US dollars, following a 14.3% rise that year.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for bean imports in value terms was balanced rather than concentrated. Germany accounted for 9.3% of import value, Kenya for 7.9%, and Kyrgyzstan for 6.1%, together representing 23.2% of total flows. The remaining 76.8% was distributed among many other countries.

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

World map of product's imports to Eastern Europe (including Northern Asia) in value, 2017-2020