Beans market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the market volume for fresh or chilled beans in Sub-Saharan Africa showed variability, starting at 205.9 thousand tons in 2018. This initial level was supported by strong progress in grain and legume production across the region, fueled by agricultural policies and investments that expanded cultivated area and output. In 2019, market volume declined to 190.2 thousand tons, even as smallholder farmers cultivated over four million hectares of beans with financial and technical backing from pan-African and international organizations. By 2020, growing demand for sustainable and plant-based foods, particularly for drought-resistant Bambara beans, helped stimulate a recovery to 193.7 thousand tons, aided by support from government agencies, agri-tech firms, and NGOs.

The market dipped again in 2021 to 183.8 thousand tons, despite consumer trends shifting toward animal-free diets and increasing demand for beans rich in plant-based proteins and micronutrients. A key factor in 2022 was the reliance on air logistics for exporting fresh beans to Europe, which limited export growth and contributed to higher domestic availability, pushing market volume up to 188.4 thousand tons. Additionally, Morocco’s expansion of its green bean production season through greenhouse cultivation influenced regional supply dynamics. In 2023, fertilizer and seed subsidy policies in Kenya and Nigeria lowered production costs and encouraged acreage expansion, supporting a further rise in market volume to 197.1 thousand tons. Simultaneously, the Pan-African Bean Research Alliance continued to develop biofortified varieties rich in iron and zinc to combat malnutrition, directly impacting food security in the region.

In 2024, the bean market continues to be shaped by several factors, including the growth of the Bambara bean segment driven by plant-based protein demand, technological advances in processing and marketing, and international training programs. Export of fresh beans remains dependent on air logistics and cold chain challenges, while agricultural policies in Ethiopia that favor drought-resistant crops may indirectly benefit bean cultivation.

Production beans in Sub-Saharan Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of beans, 2017-2020

World map of production of beans, 2017-2020

In Sub-Saharan Africa, bean production reached 225.4 thousand tonnes in 2020, marking a modest 3.0% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 4.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.4%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 233.8 thousand tonnes, which saw an 8.1% increase. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest decline of 6.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of bean output in Sub-Saharan Africa was $429.1 million in 2020, up 3.0% from 2019. The lowest value occurred in 2019 at $416.5 million, while the peak was in 2018 at $440.9 million. The largest decrease of 5.5% took place in 2019, whereas 2018 saw the biggest increase of 4.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports beans from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa exported 42 598 tonnes of beans, a 1.8% decrease from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports rose by 4.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.4%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 38 396 tonnes, which saw a 6.1% decline. The highest volume was in 2019 at 43 364 tonnes, representing a 12.9% increase.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, export destinations for beans from Sub-Saharan Africa were quite diversified. The Netherlands accounted for 24.4% of exports, the United Kingdom for 11.2%, and France for 10.1%, together making up 45.7% of total flows. The remaining 54.3% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Sub-Saharan Africa's bean exports were valued at $81.087 million in 2020, a slight 1.7% drop from 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at $72.398 million, with a 9.0% decline. The highest value occurred in 2019 at $82.504 million, showing a 14.0% increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, three key markets—the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and France—collectively represented 74.4% of the total export value of beans from Sub-Saharan Africa.

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

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020

Imports beans to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa imported 10 904 tonnes of beans, a sharp 25.7% year-on-year reduction. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports fell by 36.7%, with an average annual decline of 14.1%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 10 471 tonnes, which experienced a 39.2% decrease. In 2019, imports rose by 40.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, t

During 2017-2020, the main sources for bean imports to Sub-Saharan Africa were the United Arab Emirates with 2.0% of imports, China with 1.8%, and Turkey with 0.6%. Together, these three countries accounted for 4.4% of total import flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Bean imports to Sub-Saharan Africa declined for the third consecutive year in 2020, with a value of $6.100 million, down 8.6% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 41.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 16.3%.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that bean imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in value terms were not heavily concentrated. The United Arab Emirates contributed 1.9% of imports, China 1.7%, and Egypt 1.5%, together making up just 5.0% of total flows.

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

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020