Dried shelled bambara beans market in Zimbabwe

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled bambara beans in Zimbabwe showed considerable volatility from 2018 to 2023. Volume began at 20 137 metric tons in 2018, surged by 46% to 29 399 metric tons in 2019, then contracted by 19% to 23 850 metric tons in 2020.

A sharp rebound occurred in 2021, with market volume growing 55% to 37 024 metric tons. This expansion was primarily due to initiatives encouraging farmers to adopt pulse production for better income, which included crops like bambara beans. Concurrently, climate change effects such as erratic rainfall and droughts led farmers to diversify into climate-resilient crops, boosting production.

The market reached its peak at 45 518 metric tons in 2022, a further 23% increase, before declining by 11% to 40 255 metric tons in 2023.

Production dried shelled bambara beans in Zimbabwe

In kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Zimbabwe ranked as the world's fifth-largest producer of dried shelled bambara beans.

Top producers of dried shelled bambara beans, 2017-2020

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

Zimbabwe's production of dried shelled bambara beans declined after two consecutive years of growth. In 2020, the country produced 23 832 tonnes, marking an 18.9% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 19.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.0%. The highest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 29 396 tonnes, which represented a significant 46.1% increase that year.

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

Exports dried shelled bambara beans from Zimbabwe

Exports in kind, kg

In 2020, Zimbabwe exported 1 000 kilograms of dried shelled bambara beans, showing minimal change from the previous year. Over the 2018-2020 period, exports surged by 455.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 77.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Zimbabwe in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Between 2017 and 2020, South Africa and the United Kingdom were the exclusive markets for Zimbabwe's dried shelled bambara bean exports, together accounting for 100.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, $ US

Zimbabwe's exports of dried shelled bambara beans reached 413 US dollars in 2020, remaining nearly unchanged from 2019. From 2018 to 2020, export value increased by 85.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 22.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa and the United Kingdom dominated Zimbabwe's dried shelled bambara bean exports in value terms, with South Africa accounting for 65.0% and the United Kingdom for 35.0% of total flows, together making up 100.0%.

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

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

Imports dried shelled bambara beans to Zimbabwe

Imports in kind, kg

The import market for dried shelled bambara beans in Zimbabwe showed volatility during the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 2 931 kilograms, then surged to 19 338 kilograms in 2020, representing a 559.8% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with an 81.5% drop. Imports peaked in 2017, creating a 13.7-fold difference between the highest and lowest points.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Zimbabwe in kind, 2017-2020, kg

Between 2017 and 2020, Zambia and Malawi dominated Zimbabwe's imports of dried shelled bambara beans in volume terms, together representing 99.7% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, $ US

Zimbabwe's import market for dried shelled bambara beans exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. The lowest import value was recorded in 2019 at 1 828 US dollars, which then increased dramatically to 10 241 US dollars in 2020, representing a 460.2% rise from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 68.9% decrease. The highest import value was observed in 2017, creating an 8-fold difference between the peak and trough.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Zambia and Malawi were the principal sources for Zimbabwe's imports of dried shelled bambara beans in value terms, jointly accounting for 98.9% of total flows, while other partners each held significantly smaller shares.

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

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