Beans market in MENA

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled beans in the MENA region stood at 688.5 thousand tons in 2018. Digitalization in fruit and vegetable supply chains created new opportunities, although high prices for organic produce and difficulties in maintaining quality restrained growth. Market volume remained stable in 2019 and 2020, with minor fluctuations around 680 thousand tons.

In 2021, the market contracted to 631.6 thousand tons, but then recovered sharply, reaching 707.7 thousand tons in 2022. This growth was supported by large-scale government investments in agricultural production, particularly in Egypt, which directed around $2.73 billion to increase output and reduce import dependence. Simultaneously, government support lowered prices for key inputs like urea for local farmers, stimulating production. Saudi Arabia's allocation of $1.2 billion for import substitution projects in the fertilizer and agricultural materials sector also strengthened the local base. Growth continued in 2023, with the market rising to 716.5 thousand tons.

In 2024, the expansion of international companies, such as Malaysian FGV, through partnerships intensified competition. Concurrently, shifts in consumer preferences toward organic products and digitalization in supply chains, along with rising diabetes rates influencing consumption patterns, and the adoption of technologies like bacterial inoculation for beans, emerged as notable market factors.

Production beans in MENA

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of beans, 2017-2020

World map of production of beans, 2017-2020

Following a two-year decline, bean production in the MENA region increased in 2020. That year, the region produced 831.8 thousand tons of beans, representing a 1.1% gain compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 3.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 822.8 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 3.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the value of bean production in the MENA region stood at 1 509 million US dollars, marking a 5.7% year-over-year decrease. Between 2017 and 2020, production value fell by 12.2%, equating to an annualized decline of 4.3%. The largest decrease occurred in 2018 at 11.1%, while the biggest increase was recorded in 2019 at 4.7%.

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

Exports beans from MENA

Exports in kind, K t

Bean exports from the MENA region declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. The region exported 154.8 thousand tons of beans that year, showing a gradual contraction of 4.4% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 5.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.8%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2018 at 175.2 thousand tons, which also saw the largest increase of 19.4%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019 at 7.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain, France, and the Netherlands remained the primary destinations for bean exports from the MENA region in volume terms. Spain accounted for 50.0% of exports, France for 15.8%, and the Netherlands for 13.9%. Together, these three countries represented 79.7% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After two years of growth, the value of bean exports from the MENA region declined in 2020. Export value stood at 280.9 million US dollars that year, showing a significant decrease of 10.8% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 4.1%, with a compound annual decline of 1.4%. The highest export value was recorded in 2019 at 314.9 million US dollars, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 7.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain, France, and the Netherlands were the main destinations for bean exports from the MENA region in value terms. Spain accounted for 50.2% of export value, France for 18.8%, and the Netherlands for 13.9%. Collectively, these three countries absorbed 83.0% of total export value.

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

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

Imports beans to MENA

Imports in kind, K t

Following two years of growth, bean imports to the MENA region declined in 2020. Import volume totaled 8.4 thousand tons that year, representing a 33.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 18.7%, equating to an annualized decline of 6.7%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2019 at 12.7 thousand tons, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 15.1%.

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

The structure of bean imports to the MENA region in volume terms was diversified from 2017 to 2020. India accounted for 14.2% of imports, Kenya for 3.0%, and Pakistan for 2.9%. Together, these three countries represented just 20.1% of total import flows, with no single country holding a clearly dominant position.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Bean imports to the MENA region declined for the second consecutive year in 2020. Import value totaled 20.5 million US dollars that year, indicating a modest decrease of 8.1% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 10.5%, with a compound annual decline of 3.6%. The highest import value was recorded in 2018 at 23.1 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 0.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, bean imports to the MENA region in value terms were spread across many countries. India accounted for 26.0% of import value, Kenya for 8.8%, and Bangladesh for 4.3%. Together, these three countries represented only 39.1% of total import flows.

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

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