Dried shelled beans market in Eastern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The dried shelled beans market in Eastern Africa saw overall growth from 5.4 million tons in 2018 to 6.0 million tons in 2023, despite annual fluctuations. At the start of the period, regional trade policies such as Tanzania's ban on maize grain exports to encourage value addition influenced staple food supply chains, which indirectly affected the beans market.

After a contraction in 2019, market volume rebounded strongly in 2020. By 2023, growth was supported by Kenyan government policies and subsidies for the horticulture sector, which attracted new players and investments, alongside efforts to expand export markets for agricultural products to Asia.

Production dried shelled beans in Eastern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried shelled beans, 2017-2020

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

After two years of decline, dried shelled bean production in Eastern Africa increased. In 2020, production reached 6 369 K t, marking a 15.4% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 3.3%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 1.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 5 521 K t, while the largest decline occurred in 2018, when production fell by 6.5%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year reduction, dried shelled bean production in Eastern Africa increased. In 2020, the output was valued at 4 732 M $ US, representing a 21.4% year-over-year advance. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 2.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 0.9%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 3 897 M $ US, and the largest decline took place in 2018, when production dropped by 12.7%.

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

Exports dried shelled beans from Eastern Africa

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, foreign dried shelled bean supplies from Eastern Africa amounted to 345.6 K t, showing a controlled gain of 5.5% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 10.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.7%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 327.5 K t, while the maximum value occurred in 2018 at 408.2 K t. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, when exports fell by 19.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for exports in kind was balanced rather than concentrated. India accounted for 16.3% of exports in kind, Pakistan for 6.7%, and Vietnam for 6.0%. Together, these three countries represented 28.9% of total flows, with many other countries accounting for the remaining 71.1%.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, foreign dried shelled bean supplies from Eastern Africa increased. In 2020, exports were recorded at 256.8 M $ US, constituting a robust uptick of 11.1% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 11.4%, equating to an annualized rate of -4.0%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 231.1 M $ US, and the largest decline occurred in 2019, when exports fell by 19.0%.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 indicate that exports in value terms of dried shelled beans from Eastern Africa were not concentrated on a few key destinations. India accounted for 19.4% of exports in value terms, Pakistan for 8.0%, and Vietnam for 5.3%. Together, these three countries represented only 32.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports dried shelled beans to Eastern Africa

Imports in kind, K t

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during the period. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 15.6 K t, while the highest occurred in 2018 at 77.0 K t, resulting in a peak-to-trough ratio of 4.9 times. In 2020, Eastern Africa's dried shelled bean imports stood at 26.0 K t, equivalent to a 67.0% increase from a year earlier. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, when imports fell by 79.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Eastern Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa was the leading destination in the structure of imports in kind, accounting for 1.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Eastern Africa's volume of dried shelled bean imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, 31.4 M $ US of dried shelled beans was imported by Eastern Africa, showing a strong reduction of 10.3% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 64.3%, equating to an annualized rate of -29.0%.

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

During 2017 to 2020, imports in value terms of dried shelled beans to Eastern Africa were spread relatively evenly. South Africa accounted for 5.4% of imports in value terms, the United States for 1.8%, and France for 1.6%. Together, these three countries represented only 8.9% of total flows.

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

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