Beans market in Lebanon

Earlier Report Observations

The Lebanese fresh beans market volume surged by 24% to 16 945 tons in 2019, driven by higher global agricultural prices which increased the value of production and encouraged greater output. This growth was reversed in 2020 when the market contracted by 17% to 14 133 tons, as the sector's deep-seated lack of legislative and structural reforms led to significant losses.

Despite the continued absence of official support and unusual climatic fluctuations that caused crop losses, market volume showed a modest recovery, reaching 14 383 tons in 2021 and 14 596 tons in 2022. Strong climate variability remained a persistent challenge, but domestic production stabilized, supporting a gradual increase in overall supply.

In 2023, the market reached 14 817 tons, while the Ministry of Economy and Trade launched a monthly food price index to enhance transparency, and new distribution requirements for groceries and supermarkets were introduced. Ongoing discussions on seed trade regulation and the implementation of mechanisms for cannabis cultivation also marked the evolving agricultural policy landscape.

Production beans in Lebanon

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of beans, 2017-2020

World map of production of beans, 2017-2020

Lebanon's bean production declined after two years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 16 487 tons, but then fell by 15.8% to 13 879 tons in 2020. The largest annual increase occurred in 2019, with a 21.0% rise. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 20.4%, averaging 6.4% per year.

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

Exports beans from Lebanon

Exports in kind, t

Lebanon's bean exports have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 294.3 tons, marking a 57.9% increase compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 263.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 53.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Qatar were the main destinations for Lebanon's bean exports, together accounting for 85.8% of the total volume. The United Arab Emirates led with 32.4%, followed by Kuwait at 30.2% and Qatar at 23.2%.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Lebanon's bean exports in value terms have risen for the third year in a row. In 2020, exports reached 526 thousand US dollars, reflecting a sharp 79.1% increase from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 157.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 37.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Kuwait contributed the most to Lebanon's bean exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 85.2% of the total. The United Arab Emirates had the largest share at 37.1%, followed by Qatar at 28.6% and Kuwait at 19.5%.

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

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

Imports beans to Lebanon

Imports in kind, t

Bean imports into Lebanon showed volatile changes, indicating an unstable market. The highest volume was recorded in 2017, while the lowest was in 2018, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 7.2 times. In 2020, imports stood at 547.9 tons, down 15.0% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018, at 86.0%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 383.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Syria remained the dominant source for Lebanon's bean imports, accounting for 81.6% of the total volume. Other markets made up the remainder.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Bean imports into Lebanon in value terms exhibited an unstable trend. The peak was in 2017, and the trough in 2020, with an 8.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports amounted to 315 thousand US dollars, a sharp 36.9% decrease from 2019. The largest decline was in 2018, at 85.7%, while the largest increase was in 2019, at 31.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Syria was the dominant supplier of beans to Lebanon in value terms, accounting for 78.0% of total imports. Other countries shared the remaining volume.

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

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