Beans market in SADC

Earlier Report Observations

The fresh or chilled beans market in the SADC region experienced notable fluctuations in volume between 2018 and 2023. After starting at 73 078 t in 2018, consumption dropped to 61 445 t in 2019, then recovered to 69 089 t in 2020. A slight contraction to 65 894 t followed in 2021, before a significant surge to 76 822 t in 2022 marked the period's peak. The market then receded to 66 440 t in 2023.

By 2024, broader industry developments began to shape the market landscape. AGT Foods Africa expanded its regional presence by acquiring Pannar’s dry bean seed business, introducing locally adapted varieties. Concurrently, economic pressures and a growing consumer shift towards plant-based proteins and health-conscious diets increased the focus on beans as an affordable protein source, influencing demand patterns.

Production beans in SADC

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of beans, 2017-2020

World map of production of beans, 2017-2020

In 2020, SADC produced 56 819 tonnes of beans, marking a modest 7.9% increase from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 3.7%, which translates to an annualized rate of 1.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 52 645 tonnes, while the highest was in 2018 at 67 959 tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 22.5%, whereas the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 24.0%.

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

Exports beans from SADC

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. The minimum export volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 862 tonnes, while the maximum was in 2020 at 9 623 tonnes, resulting in a 2.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, bean deliveries from SADC reached 9 623 tonnes, up 23.4% from 2019. The largest decline was in 2018, falling by 5.7%, and the largest increase was in 2019, surging by 101.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the leading destinations for bean exports from SADC were Kenya, accounting for 37.0% of exports, Uganda with 14.3%, and the Netherlands at 3.8%. Together, these three countries represented 55.1% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Bean shipments from SADC to abroad increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 5 934 thousand US dollars, showing a robust year-over-year gain of 21.6%. However, between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 39.2%, equating to an annualized decline of 15.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 3 545 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, dropping by 63.7%, while the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 37.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, bean exports from SADC in value terms were distributed across many countries. The Netherlands accounted for 18.3% of exports, the United Kingdom for 15.0%, and Kenya for 12.7%. Together, these three countries represented only 46.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports beans to SADC

Imports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2018 at 8 981 tonnes, while the peak was in 2020 at 21 893 tonnes, creating a 2.4-fold gap. In 2020, bean imports into SADC totaled 21 893 tonnes, reflecting a sharp year-over-year uptick of 31.9%. The largest decline was in 2018, falling by 44.4%, and the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 84.8%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the key directions for bean imports into SADC were Uganda, accounting for 27.2% of imports, the United Arab Emirates with 2.7%, and China at 2.5%. Together, these three countries accounted for 32.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2020, foreign bean supplies to SADC amounted to 5 242 thousand US dollars, representing a moderate 7.0% drop compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 9.8%, equating to an annualized decline of 3.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 4 554 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018, falling by 21.6%, while the largest increase was in 2019, rising by 23.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, beans were supplied to SADC from a broad set of markets. Uganda accounted for 8.6% of imports in value terms, Kenya for 6.8%, and the United Arab Emirates for 2.5%. Together, these three countries represented only 17.9% of total imports, with many smaller destinations making up the remaining 82.1%.

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

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