Beans market in Saudi Arabia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh or chilled beans in Saudi Arabia expanded significantly from 11 101 t in 2018 to 22 357 t in 2023, more than doubling in volume. The most pronounced surge occurred in 2020, when market size jumped by 56% to 17 888 t. This increase coincided with the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture's announcement in August 2020 that 11 types of local fresh fruit would reach Saudi markets, as part of broader food security efforts under Saudi Vision 2030. State backing for domestic fresh vegetable production, including beans, boosted supply.

After a modest 8% contraction in 2021, the market rebounded with a 21% rise in 2022 to 19 958 t. This growth was underpinned by improved self-sufficiency rates for key agricultural products, as reported by the Saudi Statistics Authority, reflecting advances in local output. The upward trend continued in 2023. By 2024, the vegetable segment accounted for 38% of the agricultural market share, with technological innovations such as cloud-based farm management platforms and a 62% increase in fresh vegetable consumption among Saudi consumers over six months further shaping the market landscape.

Production beans in Saudi Arabia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of beans, 2017-2020

World map of production of beans, 2017-2020

Saudi Arabia's bean production increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 16 925 tonnes of beans, marking a significant 58.1% rise compared to the previous year.

Annual dynamics of production in Saudi Arabia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports beans from Saudi Arabia

Exports in kind, t

Bean exports from Saudi Arabia showed an unstable trend over the period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 242 tonnes, then rebounded to 625 tonnes in 2020, representing a 158.7% increase year-over-year. The most substantial decline occurred in 2018, with a 92.1% drop. Overall, exports fluctuated significantly, with a 15-fold difference between the peak in 2017 and the trough in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Kuwait, Qatar, and Bahrain were the primary markets for Saudi Arabia's bean exports in volume terms. Kuwait accounted for 45.0% of exports, Qatar for 24.0%, and Bahrain for 22.0%. Together, these three countries represented 91.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Saudi Arabia's bean exports in value terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 302 thousand US dollars, a 43.9% decrease from 2019. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 72.6%, which translates to an average annual decline of 35.0%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Kuwait, Yemen, and Bahrain consistently served as the main destinations for Saudi Arabia's bean exports in value terms. Kuwait held a 45.8% share, Yemen 21.2%, and Bahrain 16.4%. Collectively, these three markets accounted for 83.5% of total export value.

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

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

Imports beans to Saudi Arabia

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, Saudi Arabia's bean imports in volume terms increased in 2020. Imports totaled 1 588 tonnes, a 56.7% rise compared to the previous year. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 1 013 tonnes, with the largest decline occurring in 2018 at 20.5%. Over the 2017–2020 period, imports grew by 17.8%, averaging an annual increase of 5.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India, Jordan, and the Netherlands were the leading sources of bean imports to Saudi Arabia in volume terms. India supplied 35.6% of imports, Jordan 20.7%, and the Netherlands 10.3%. Together, these three countries made up 66.6% of total import volumes.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Saudi Arabia's bean imports in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 1 503 thousand US dollars, a sharp 39.8% drop from the previous year. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 3 050 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 54.4%. Overall, from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 23.9%, with an average annual decline of 8.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, India, the Netherlands, and Jordan were the largest suppliers of beans to Saudi Arabia in value terms. India accounted for 40.2% of imports, the Netherlands for 19.4%, and Jordan for 7.3%. Combined, these three sources represented 66.9% of total import value.

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

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