Dried shelled bambara beans market in SADC

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled bambara beans in the SADC region expanded significantly from 39 606 metric tons in 2018 to a peak of 65 780 metric tons in 2022, before a slight moderation to 62 260 metric tons in 2023. This growth of over 57% across the period was primarily driven by domestic production, which increased from 40 328 tons to 63 137 tons. Imports and exports remained relatively minor throughout, indicating the market is largely supplied by local output.

Production trends mirrored the overall market movement, with notable year-on-year increases. After a dip in 2020, output surged by over 30% in 2021, contributing to the record market volume the following year. The subsequent small contraction in 2023 represented a stabilization rather than a sharp decline, with the market remaining well above pre-2021 levels.

By 2024, market dynamics were influenced by renewed interest in cultivating the Bambara groundnut, particularly in arid regions of South Africa, due to its recognized drought resistance and high nutritional value. Consumer preferences continued to shift towards such indigenous, sustainable food sources. However, the lack of improved high-yield varieties limited broader commercial exploitation, keeping the crop predominantly within subsistence farming systems.

Production dried shelled bambara beans in SADC

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dried shelled bambara beans, 2017-2020

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

After two consecutive years of growth, dried shelled bambara bean production in SADC experienced a decline. In 2020, SADC produced 44 127 tonnes, marking a 10.5% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 18.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.0%. The peak production occurred in 2019 at 49 321 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 22.3%.

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

Exports dried shelled bambara beans from SADC

Exports in kind, t

The market showed significant fluctuations during this period. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2017, while the highest was reached in 2018, creating a peak-to-trough ratio of 82 times. In 2020, SADC exported 428 tonnes of dried shelled bambara beans, representing a 37.1% decrease from the previous year. The maximum export volume was 773 tonnes in 2018, which also experienced the largest annual increase of 8 115.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export market for dried shelled bambara beans was highly diversified. The top three destinations—the United Arab Emirates (15.5% of exports), Vietnam (12.9%), and Myanmar (8.1%)—collectively accounted for only 36.5% of total flows. The remaining 63.5% was distributed among numerous other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The data shows irregular changes, reflecting a volatile market environment. The lowest export value was recorded in 2017, while the highest occurred in 2019, resulting in a peak-to-trough ratio of 26 times. In 2020, SADC's dried shelled bambara bean exports reached 275.8 thousand US dollars, a sharp 70.6% drop from 2019. The peak value was 936.6 thousand US dollars in 2019, while the largest annual increase of 1 415.9% was recorded in 2018.

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

During 2017-2020, the value of dried shelled bambara bean exports from SADC was relatively evenly distributed. The top three markets—the United Arab Emirates (34.1% of export value), Thailand (2.9%), and Myanmar (2.8%)—together represented just 39.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports dried shelled bambara beans to SADC

Imports in kind, t

The import market displayed an unstable trend throughout the period. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2017, while the maximum occurred in 2020, creating a 660-fold variation between these years. In 2020, SADC imported 208 tonnes of dried shelled bambara beans, a dramatic 544.8% increase from the previous year. The largest annual decline of 36.5% was recorded in 2019, while the largest increase of 16 004.1% occurred in 2018.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Myanmar (6.1% of imports), the United Kingdom (1.9%), and China (0.8%) were the main sources of dried shelled bambara bean imports to SADC, collectively accounting for 8.8% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019, while the highest occurred in 2020, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 8.5 times. In 2020, SADC's imports of dried shelled bambara beans reached 327.0 thousand US dollars, a steep 749.0% increase from 2019. The minimum value was 38.5 thousand US dollars in 2019, while the largest annual decline of 59.3% was recorded in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Myanmar (4.6% of import value), China (1.4%), and the United Kingdom (0.9%) remained the primary suppliers of dried shelled bambara beans to SADC, jointly forming 6.9% of total import value.

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

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