Beans market in South America

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, the bean market volume in South America saw initial volatility, declining to 164.1 thousand tons in 2019 before entering a period of steady growth that peaked at 188.5 thousand tons in 2022. Production mirrored this trajectory, recovering from a 2019 low to reach 188.0 thousand tons by the end of the period.

In 2023, the market volume contracted to 180.8 thousand tons. This decline was primarily driven by adverse weather conditions in major producing states such as Goiás and Minas Gerais, where excessive rains delayed the first harvest and damaged grain quality, leading to localized crop failures. Concurrently, bean imports plummeted by 74.3%, tightening overall supply and contributing to sustained upward price pressure amid low stock levels.

Entering 2024, import volumes fell further to 0.3 thousand tons as the market grappled with historically low bean stocks. While national production for the 2023/24 season was estimated to have grown by 7.6%, weather-related harvest delays continued to affect quality and timing. The period also saw the expansion of black bean production through forward contracts, creating new market segments, while consumer preference for carioca beans remained dominant in key regional markets.

Production beans in South America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of beans, 2017-2020

World map of production of beans, 2017-2020

South America produced 172.8 K t of beans in 2020, which was 5.5% higher than in 2019. Production reached its lowest point in 2019 at 163.8 K t, while the peak was recorded in 2018 at 176.8 K t. The most significant year-over-year decrease occurred in 2019, when production fell by 7.3%.

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

Exports beans from South America

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes showed considerable volatility during the observed period. They reached their highest level in 2019 at 424 t, but dropped to their lowest in 2017, representing a 1.8-fold difference between these years. In 2020, South America exported 381 t of beans, marking a 10.2% decline from the previous year. The largest year-over-year increase happened in 2018, when exports surged by 83.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada and the United States remained the primary destinations for exports in kind, together accounting for 2.9% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Bean exports from South America declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 575 K $ US, showing a substantial decrease of 11.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 13.1%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -4.6%. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 702 K $ US, while the largest year-over-year increase occurred that same year at 6.1%.

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

The export market in value terms was quite diversified from 2017 to 2020. The United States (22.8% of export value), Canada (6.0%), and Germany (1.4%) together represented just 30.2% of total flows, with the remaining 69.8% distributed among numerous other countries.

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

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

Imports beans to South America

Imports in kind, t

Bean imports into South America increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, South America imported 1 423 t of beans, representing a dramatic 119.2% rise compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 305.3%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 59.4%.

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

Throughout the 2017-2020 period, the United States and Panama were the main sources of imports in kind, together accounting for 11.2% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

South America's bean imports continued to grow for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country imported beans worth 575 K $ US, reflecting a 14.1% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value rose by 240.3%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 50.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (65.0% of import value), Panama (4.9%), and Egypt (0.8%) were the leading suppliers of beans to South America, together representing 70.7% of total imports in value terms.

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

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