Beans market in GCC

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled beans in the GCC grew from about 22 thousand tons in 2018 to 31 thousand tons in 2023. The initial expansion was driven by rising demand due to population growth and an increased focus on food security. Environmental challenges, such as water scarcity, prompted the adoption of modern agricultural technologies, including vertical farming, to improve crop yields. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 disrupted global supply chains, leading to a reassessment of import strategies and stimulating local production.

After a slight market volume contraction in 2021, growth resumed in 2022-2023 due to shifts in agricultural policy aimed at economic diversification and support for domestic output. The emergence of organic and vertical farming initiatives enhanced the availability of fresh beans. By 2023, the expansion of crop production in the region, supported by improved trade, contributed to a significant increase in market value, reaching 86.6 million US dollars.

Production beans in GCC

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of beans, 2017-2020

World map of production of beans, 2017-2020

GCC's bean production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, GCC produced 18 525 tonnes of beans, marking a 10.3% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production grew by 346.9%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 64.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in GCC in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

GCC's bean production has risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, the output of beans was valued at 43 546 thousand US dollars in GCC, reflecting a 28.9% increase from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production increased by 289.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 57.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in GCC in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports beans from GCC

Exports in kind, t

Bean exports from GCC have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the export volume reached 1 718 tonnes, showing a sharp decrease of 47.7% year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 36.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -13.9%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 292 tonnes, with the largest increase of 22.4% also occurring in that year.

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

The structure of exports in kind from 2017 to 2020 was diversified, with Japan accounting for 33.5% of exports, Yemen for 12.1%, and Iran for 3.3%. Together, these three countries represented 48.9% of total flows, and no single country held a clearly dominant position.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Bean exports from GCC have decreased for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 4 037 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a 38.9% decline from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports dropped by 44.4%, equating to an annualized rate of -17.8%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 7 478 thousand US dollars, with the largest increase of 3.0% also in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Japan was the primary buyer of beans from GCC, accounting for 74.2% of total exports in value terms, while other partners had relatively modest shares.

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

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

Imports beans to GCC

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, bean imports into GCC increased. In 2020, GCC imported 11 703 tonnes of beans, representing a 2.2% gain compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 4.1%, equating to an annualized rate of -1.4%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 11 446 tonnes, with the largest decline of 5.5% also in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of imports in kind was highly diversified: India accounted for 20.9% of imports, Egypt for 11.8%, and Iran for 10.6%. Together, these three countries made up 43.2% of total flows, with a long tail of smaller markets forming the remaining 56.8%.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Bean imports into GCC have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 16 512 thousand US dollars, representing an 8.1% fall from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 12.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India, with 32.2% of imports in value terms, Egypt with 10.9%, and Kenya with 10.6%, were the largest suppliers of beans to GCC, together forming 53.7% of total imports in value terms.

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

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