Dried shelled beans market in Bolivia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, Bolivia's dried shelled bean market remained stable at around 92 thousand tons. This period was characterized by consolidated exports to Brazil, particularly from the Chuquisaca region, where increased export volumes and values since 2016 continued to have an impact. Production was concentrated in the warm valleys of Cochabamba, Chuquisaca, and Tarija, with a preference for bush varieties. Prices ranging from 280 to 300 Bolivianos per quintal incentivized local growers, while a portion of the beans supplied domestic social programs such as school breakfasts, ensuring steady local demand.

In 2020, the market volume contracted to 84 thousand tons, coinciding with the global COVID-19 pandemic which posed potential logistical challenges, although direct impacts on Bolivia were not clearly documented. Exports remained significant via the key Arica–Charaña–Tambo Quemado route. By 2021, the market recovered to 89 thousand tons, then edged down to 86 thousand tons in 2022. Throughout this period, production and exports continued to rely on traditional regions, with historical data showing bean exports generated over $252 million from 2012 to November 2022, underscoring the sector's dependence on international trade.

The market volume reached 90 thousand tons in 2023, returning to a level close to the start of the period. Overall, from 2018 to 2023, Bolivia's dried shelled bean market demonstrated resilience, with volumes fluctuating within a range of 84 to 91 thousand tons, underpinned by consistent exports to Brazil and stable domestic consumption.

Production dried shelled beans in Bolivia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried shelled beans, 2017-2020

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

Bolivia's dried shelled bean production has declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 103.3 K t, marking a modest 4.0% decrease compared to 2019. Production peaked in 2018 at 107.7 K t, which also saw the largest annual increase of 2.7%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Bolivia's dried shelled bean output was valued at 94.3 M $ US, down 2.0% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production fell by 10.5%, averaging an annual decline of 3.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 91.4 M $ US, which experienced the steepest drop of 13.2%. In contrast, 2019 saw the largest increase of 5.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Bolivia in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports dried shelled beans from Bolivia

Exports in kind, t

Bolivia exported 19 011 t of dried shelled beans in 2020, a 20.5% increase year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports grew by 44.6%, averaging an annual rise of 13.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 3.6%, while 2018 recorded the biggest increase of 24.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Brazil, Colombia, and Peru were the main buyers of Bolivia's dried shelled beans, accounting for 48.1%, 20.9%, and 13.4% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 82.4% of total exports.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Bolivia's dried shelled bean exports have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 17 353 K $ US, showing a significant 23.0% rise compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 31.5%, with an average annual increase of 9.5%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Brazil, Spain, and Colombia were the leading destinations for Bolivia's dried shelled bean exports in value terms, accounting for 32.4%, 26.1%, and 22.5% of total exports, respectively. Combined, these three countries represented 80.9% of export value.

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

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

Imports dried shelled beans to Bolivia

Imports in kind, t

Market performance showed notable fluctuations during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2020 and peaked in 2019, with a 2 249-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Bolivia imported approximately 0.0 t of dried shelled beans, a sharp 100.0% decrease from the previous year. The highest volume was recorded in 2019 at 11 t, which also saw the largest increase of 6 734.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Bolivia's import base for dried shelled beans in kind was extremely narrow, with India alone responsible for 94.9% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was volatile during these years. Imports varied 551-fold from the high in 2019 to the low in 2020. In 2020, Bolivia's dried shelled bean imports were recorded at 0.0 K $ US, equivalent to a 99.8% decline from the previous year. The maximum value was in 2019 at 20 K $ US, which also experienced the largest increase of 4 551.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, India was the key supplier of dried shelled beans to Bolivia, accounting for 83.0% of total imports in value terms. The remaining imports came from a diverse group of other countries.

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

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