Beans market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

The fresh bean market in Southern Europe contracted from 579.4 thousand tons in 2018 to 532.2 thousand tons in 2019, primarily due to high labor costs and low profitability in protected cultivation in key regions like Almería, which reduced farming area. However, supply stability was partially maintained in Granada through direct supermarket agreements and the formation of farmer cooperatives.

Market volume recovered to 552.8 thousand tons in 2020 and edged up to 558.2 thousand tons in 2021, even as total cultivation area shrank. This resilience was supported by the ongoing development and adoption of new bean varieties with higher yields and genetic resistance to stresses, which improved production efficiency. Concurrently, rising consumer demand for fresh and organic produce drove a significant increase in market value, which reached $1.36 billion in 2021.

A sharp decline in market volume to 503.1 thousand tons occurred in 2022, coinciding with increased price volatility for fresh beans and higher production costs fueled by pandemic after-effects and international conflicts. By 2023, volume further decreased to 480.1 thousand tons, yet market value rose to $1.12 billion, reflecting sustained consumer preference for quality. This value growth was underpinned by greater investment in cold-chain logistics and the expansion of convenient, ready-to-eat bean-based product formats.

Production beans in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of beans, 2017-2020

World map of production of beans, 2017-2020

Southern Europe's bean production increased after a two-year decline. In 2020, the region produced 425.5 thousand tonnes of beans, marking a moderate 3.1% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 2.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 412.8 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 5.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Bean production in Southern Europe increased after a two-year decline. In 2020, the output was valued at 989 million US dollars, representing a 4.0% improvement compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 23.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 951 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 19.2%.

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

Exports beans from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Bean export volumes from Southern Europe increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 28.7 thousand tonnes of beans, up 13.2% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 82.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 22.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Germany formed the main cluster of markets for bean exports in kind. The Netherlands accounted for 29.7% of exports, France for 16.6%, and Germany for 14.8%, together representing 61.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Bean shipments from Southern Europe increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 66.8 million US dollars worth of beans, a 14.2% increase compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 43.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 12.7%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and France remained the main markets for bean exports in value terms from Southern Europe. The Netherlands accounted for 31.9% of exports, the United Kingdom for 16.9%, and France for 14.4%, jointly representing 63.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports beans to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Southern Europe imported approximately 156.1 thousand tonnes of beans in 2020, reflecting a measured 7.8% year-over-year advance. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 15.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 5.0%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 168.4 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest increase of 24.8%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 14.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, two markets—Morocco and France—played the leading roles in bean imports in kind, together accounting for 89.8% of total import flows, while the remainder was distributed among other destinations.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Bean import volumes in Southern Europe declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region imported a total of 203.2 million US dollars worth of beans, which is 4.9% lower than the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 5.4%, equating to an annualized rate of 1.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 252.0 million US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 17.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 15.2%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Morocco was the dominant market for bean imports in value terms, accounting for 73.8% of total import flows, while other countries together accounted for the remaining share.

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

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