Beans market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the Western European market for fresh or chilled beans experienced significant volume shifts. The market reached 664 thousand tons in 2018, supported by growing consumer demand for freshly prepared beans, particularly among older generations in Germany. Subsequently, the market volume contracted to 552 thousand tons in 2019 and further to 518 thousand tons in 2020.

A sharp rebound occurred in 2021, lifting the market to 641 thousand tons. This was followed by a decline to 547 thousand tons in 2022 and stabilization at 549 thousand tons in 2023. During this later period, demand for healthy and convenient foods supported related segments such as frozen vegetables, including green beans. Furthermore, the acquisition of the Irish producer Strong Roots by McCain Foods in 2023 signaled consolidation among major players in the vegetable market.

Entering 2024, the market continued to be shaped by an expansion of pulse crop cultivation areas in Germany and a sustained consumer preference shift toward fresh, chilled foods with fewer preservatives. Concurrently, increased logistics costs and new supply chain transparency regulations introduced additional operational pressures for market participants.

Production beans in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of beans, 2017-2020

World map of production of beans, 2017-2020

Beans production in Western Europe has declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 517.4 K t, representing a decrease of 3.9% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 21.9%, with an average annual decline of 7.9%.

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

Exports beans from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Beans exports from Western Europe have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were recorded at 153.4 K t, showing a modest gain of 8.6% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 6.4%, which translates to an annualized rate of 2.1%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 88.5 K t, with the largest decline of 38.6% occurring that same year. In contrast, the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 59.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the buyer portfolio for beans from Western Europe was diverse. Spain accounted for 32.8% of exports in kind, Italy for 10.8%, and the United Kingdom for 4.9%, together making up only 48.5% of total exports. Many other countries held smaller but significant shares.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Western Europe exported beans worth 194.0 M $ US, marking an improvement of 14.2% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 14.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 169.9 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 6.9%.

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

An analysis of exports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 reveals a broad distribution across many markets. Italy contributed 16.7% of exports in value, Spain 11.9%, and the United Kingdom 10.4%, together accounting for only 38.9% of total flows. The remaining 61.1% was distributed among other partners.

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

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

Imports beans to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

Beans imports into Western Europe have declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 153.6 K t, showing only a marginal fluctuation compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 3.7%, equating to an annualized decline of 1.3%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 164.9 K t, with the largest increase of 3.3% occurring that year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 6.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for imports in kind was balanced rather than concentrated. Morocco accounted for 24.1% of imports in kind, Spain for 8.1%, and Kenya for 5.9%, jointly representing 38.1% of total flows. Many other countries accounted for the remaining 61.9%.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, beans imports into Western Europe amounted to 372.6 M $ US, up by 9.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 3.1%, with an average annual decline of 1.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 340.0 M $ US, while the highest was in 2018 at 388.9 M $ US. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 12.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Morocco, Kenya, and Spain consistently held leading positions in the country structure of imports in value terms. Morocco accounted for 35.0% of imports in value, Kenya for 13.8%, and Spain for 12.0%, jointly making up 60.8% of total flows.

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

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