Dried shelled bambara beans market in ECOWAS

Earlier Report Observations

Production of dried shelled bambara beans in the ECOWAS region showed considerable volatility between 2018 and 2023. The market volume began at 160 thousand tonnes in 2018, supported by a broader expansion of cultivation as farmers adopted the crop for its drought resistance and suitability for marginal soils amid climate-smart agricultural practices. A dip to 152 thousand tonnes in 2019 coincided with an 8.51% reduction in bean exports from Senegal over the preceding two years, affecting regional trade flows. This was followed by a sharp recovery to 186 thousand tonnes in 2020.

After falling to 138 thousand tonnes in 2021, production rebounded to 169 thousand tonnes in 2022. By 2023, the market volume eased to 156 thousand tonnes. That year saw the launch of programs promoting bambara beans as a sustainable and nutritious crop in West Africa, while rising import prices in Senegal reflected stronger regional demand and supply chain pressures. Recent developments include Nigeria's suspension of import duties on the beans to curb inflation and Niger's export ban on cereals, alongside ongoing crop variety development and growing consumer preference for plant-based proteins.

Production dried shelled bambara beans in ECOWAS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried shelled bambara beans, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried shelled bambara beans, 2017-2020

In 2019, ECOWAS produced dried shelled bambara beans, but production saw a 5.2% decline that year. However, by 2020, output rebounded significantly to 185.5 thousand tons, marking a 22.2% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 31% overall, with an average annual growth rate of 9.4%.

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

Exports dried shelled bambara beans from ECOWAS

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes of dried shelled bambara beans from ECOWAS showed considerable volatility between 2017 and 2020. In 2017, exports were at their lowest, but they surged dramatically in 2018 with a 5,244.1% increase, reaching a peak of 252.9 tons in 2019. However, by 2020, exports plummeted to just 4.9 tons, a sharp decline of 98.1% from the previous year. Overall, export volumes varied 204-fold from the low in 2017 to the high in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export market for dried shelled bambara beans from ECOWAS was heavily concentrated, with the United Kingdom and Spain accounting for most of the shipments in kind. Other markets played a smaller role individually during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of dried shelled bambara bean exports from ECOWAS experienced significant fluctuations from 2017 to 2020. In 2017, export values hit their lowest point, but they soared in 2018 with a remarkable 27,764.2% increase, peaking at 111.6 thousand US dollars that year. By 2020, exports had contracted sharply to 11.0 thousand US dollars, down 89.9% from the previous year. The gap between the highest value in 2018 and the lowest in 2017 was 279-fold.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain and the United Kingdom dominated the export market in value terms for dried shelled bambara beans from ECOWAS, together accounting for 86.6% of total flows. Other trading partners each held significantly smaller shares during this timeframe.

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

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

Imports dried shelled bambara beans to ECOWAS

Imports in kind, t

Import volumes of dried shelled bambara beans into ECOWAS displayed notable fluctuations from 2017 to 2020. In 2018, imports reached a peak of 307.3 tons, following an 895.0% increase that year. However, in 2019, imports fell sharply by 88.4%, and by 2020, they had declined further to 11.8 tons, a 66.7% drop compared to 2019. The difference between the peak in 2018 and the trough in 2020 was 26-fold.

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

During the period from 2017 to 2020, China was the dominant source for dried shelled bambara bean imports into ECOWAS in kind, accounting for 75.1% of total imports. The remaining imports were distributed among various smaller partners.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of dried shelled bambara bean imports into ECOWAS showed an unstable trend from 2017 to 2020. In 2017, import values were at their lowest, but they jumped in 2018 with a 2,346.0% increase, reaching a maximum of 348.8 thousand US dollars that year. In 2019, imports declined by 84.5%, and by 2020, they had fallen to 19.9 thousand US dollars, down 63.1% from the previous year. The gap between the peak in 2018 and the trough in 2017 was 24-fold.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China was the primary supplier of dried shelled bambara beans to ECOWAS in value terms, holding 79.0% of total imports. Other partners contributed relatively modest shares during this period.

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

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