Beans market in Sudan

Earlier Report Observations

Sudan's market volume for fresh or chilled beans showed significant volatility from 2018 to 2023, largely due to dramatic swings in imports while domestic production held steady near 370 t annually. The market reached 1 065.5 t in 2018 before contracting sharply to 390.2 t in 2019 as imports collapsed from over 695 t to just 27.6 t.

Throughout the period, domestic output was supported by sustained agricultural investments. The national Rahad Agricultural Project provided a foundation for horticultural production, and the increasing availability of modern tillage tools and accessories helped farmers maintain stable yields. The development and adoption of improved crop varieties also contributed to resilient production levels.

A notable recovery lifted the market volume to 515.3 t in 2022, a rise supported by financing for agricultural projects from the Sudanese Agricultural Bank, which facilitated higher import activity. This period also saw the application of specific quality standards for fresh bean pods and ongoing policy changes aimed at enhancing production and export, further defining the market's structure.

Production beans in Sudan

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of beans, 2017-2020

World map of production of beans, 2017-2020

In 2019, Sudan produced 366.9 tonnes of beans, the lowest level in recent years. Production then increased slightly in 2020 to 369.3 tonnes, representing a modest 0.6% rise compared to 2019. The highest production was recorded earlier, in 2018, at 379.4 tonnes. The most significant year-on-year increase occurred in 2018, with a 2.2% growth, while the largest decline was seen in 2019, when production fell by 3.3%.

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

Exports beans from Sudan

Exports in kind, t

Sudan's bean exports have declined for two consecutive years. In 2020, exports totaled 3.2 tonnes, marking a 27.7% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports fell by 61.8%, with an average annual decline of 27.4%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 9.2 tonnes. The most substantial drop occurred in 2019, with a 52.2% reduction, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a 10.6% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main buyers of Sudanese beans were Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United States. Qatar accounted for 24.8% of exports in kind, Saudi Arabia for 22.6%, and the United States for 19.9%. Together, these three countries comprised 67.3% of Sudan's total bean exports by volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market for bean exports in value terms showed significant volatility during this period. In 2019, exports reached a peak of 10 000 US dollars, but by 2020, they had dropped sharply to 2 000 US dollars, representing an 81.2% decline compared to 2019. The most notable increase occurred in 2019, with a 166.1% rise. Overall, from the high in 2019 to the low in 2020, export values varied by a factor of 5.3.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy, Saudi Arabia, and Lebanon were the largest contributors to Sudan's bean exports in value terms. Italy accounted for 27.4% of exports, Saudi Arabia for 16.0%, and Lebanon for 12.6%. Collectively, these three countries made up 56.0% of the total export value.

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

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

Imports beans to Sudan

Imports in kind, t

Bean imports into Sudan exhibited considerable volatility from 2017 to 2020. In 2019, imports hit their lowest point at 27.6 tonnes, but they rebounded in 2020 to 32.1 tonnes, a 16.1% increase year-on-year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 695.3 tonnes. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, with a 96.0% drop, while the largest increase was in 2018, with a 32.1% rise. Overall, imports varied by a factor of 25 from the peak in 2018 to the trough in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China was the dominant source for bean imports into Sudan, consistently accounting for 91.0% of total imports by volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Market performance for bean imports in value terms showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. In 2019, imports reached their lowest point at 61 000 US dollars, but they increased in 2020 to 78 000 US dollars, a 26.9% rise compared to the previous year. The most substantial decline occurred in 2018, with an 82.3% drop. Overall, from the high in 2017 to the low in 2019, import values varied by a factor of 22.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, China absorbed 88.0% of Sudan's total bean imports in value terms, with the remaining 12.0% distributed among a variety of smaller trading partners.

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

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