Beans market in the United Kingdom

Earlier Report Observations

The UK fresh beans market grew from 55 478 t in 2018 to 66 576 t in 2020, driven by rising consumer demand for plant-based proteins and health-conscious diets. The COVID-19 pandemic further amplified food demand, while Brexit heightened focus on local produce, though imports continued to expand. Market volume then stabilized at 66 335 t in 2021.

A sharp contraction to 41 030 t occurred in 2022, likely reflecting post-pandemic market normalization. Recovery followed in 2023, with volume rising to 49 271 t, supported by the first farm-scale harvest of UK-grown dry beans and breakthroughs in domestic cultivation that boosted local supply.

Regulatory changes shaped the market, including updated food labelling laws, the introduction of the Plastic Packaging Tax in April 2022, and retailers like Sainsbury's removing best before dates to reduce waste. Consumer preferences increasingly favored sustainability and plant-based diets, with chilled vegetarian food spending more than doubling since 2011, reinforcing long-term trends.

Production beans in the United Kingdom

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of beans, 2018-2021

World map of production of beans, 2018-2021

The United Kingdom's bean production volume declined after two years of growth. In 2021, production reached 22 829 tonnes, marking a 5.8% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2018-2021 period, production increased by 19.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.1%. The highest production level was recorded in 2020 at 24 237 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 15.9%.

Annual dynamics of production in the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports beans from the United Kingdom

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Export volumes reached their lowest point in 2020 at 888 tonnes, then climbed to their peak in 2021 at 4 350 tonnes, representing a 4.9-fold increase. The 2021 export volume marked a sharp year-over-year rise of 390.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2020, with a decrease of 13.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Denmark, Ireland, and the Netherlands were the primary buyers of beans from the United Kingdom. Denmark accounted for 55.8% of exports in kind, Ireland for 20.6%, and the Netherlands for 14.6%. Together, these three countries represented 91.0% of total exports in kind.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, M $ US

The United Kingdom's bean exports in value terms declined for the second consecutive year. In 2021, exports amounted to 2.3 million US dollars, a 26.0% decrease from the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, exports decreased by 29.1%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 10.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 3.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 19.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Ireland, the Netherlands, and Denmark made the biggest contributions to the United Kingdom's bean exports in value terms. Ireland accounted for 56.3% of exports, the Netherlands for 22.7%, and Denmark for 9.2%. Together, these three countries represented 88.1% of total export flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021

Imports beans to the United Kingdom

Imports in kind, t

The United Kingdom's bean imports in kind increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports reached approximately 47 856 tonnes, reflecting a solid 10.7% year-over-year improvement. Over the 2018-2021 period, imports increased by 28.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.7%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 37 269 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual decline of 0.0%. The largest increase occurred in 2020, with a 16.0% rise.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Kenya, Spain, and Morocco were the main sources of bean imports to the United Kingdom. Kenya accounted for 36.8% of imports in kind, Spain for 15.6%, and Morocco for 13.5%. Together, these three countries comprised 65.9% of total imports in kind.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to the United Kingdom in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, M $ US

The United Kingdom's bean imports in value terms increased for the second consecutive year. In 2021, imports amounted to 160.1 million US dollars, equivalent to a 21.1% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, imports increased by 31.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 115.8 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual decline of 4.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021, M $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Kenya, Spain, and Egypt accounted for the largest share of the United Kingdom's bean imports in value terms. Kenya represented 43.4% of imports, Spain 14.9%, and Egypt 11.0%. Together, these three countries comprised 69.2% of total import flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to the United Kingdom in value, 2018-2021