Dried shelled beans market in Congo

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the Congolese dried shelled beans market grew significantly, with volume rising from 10 070 tons to a peak of 13 022 tons. This expansion was driven primarily by a surge in imports, which reached 8 604 tons in 2020. During this period, local producers in the Loudima region, supported by the World Food Program, expanded cultivated areas and improved bean cultivation techniques, contributing to a gradual increase in domestic output.

Following the 2020 peak, market volume contracted to 10 759 tons in 2021 before stabilizing and recovering to 11 815 tons by 2023. Government policies focusing on economic diversification through agriculture helped bolster production and distribution. However, security instability in eastern regions, notably North Kivu, disrupted supply routes from key growing areas, influencing local market prices and availability.

By 2024, new market dynamics emerged, including growing consumer demand for processed and nutritious products like locally produced bean flour. Concurrently, the National Institute for Agronomic Studies and Research (INERA) provided support for selecting and improving high-yielding bean varieties to enhance crop performance. Price fluctuations in major markets like Kinshasa and Goma reflected the impact of local currency depreciation and multiple taxes on final consumer costs.

Production dried shelled beans in Congo

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dried shelled beans, 2017-2020

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

Congo's production of dried shelled beans has grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 4 429 tonnes, representing a modest increase of 1.1% compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production rose by 3%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.0%.

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

Exports dried shelled beans from Congo

Exports in kind, t

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo was virtually the sole destination for Congo's dried shelled bean exports in volume terms, accounting for 100.0% of total shipments.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

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

Between 2017 and 2020, nearly all of Congo's dried shelled bean exports by value went to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, which represented 100.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports dried shelled beans to Congo

Imports in kind, t

Congo's imports of dried shelled beans have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the country imported {value_last_year} tonnes, which is 8.5% higher than in 2019. However, over the full period from 2017 to 2020, imports actually declined by 4.8%, equivalent to an average annual decrease of 1.6%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 5 734 tonnes, which also saw the largest year-on-year drop of 36.6%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the most significant increase, with imports rising by 38.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Cameroon dominated Congo's dried shelled bean imports in volume terms, representing 97.6% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Congo's imports of dried shelled beans in value terms have risen for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports totaled 1 836 thousand US dollars, showing a solid increase of 14.5% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 11.4%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 001 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 39.2%. Conversely, 2019 posted the strongest growth, with imports surging by 60.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the import market was highly concentrated, with Cameroon alone accounting for 95.9% of Congo's total dried shelled bean imports by value.

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

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