Dried shelled beans market in Eastern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2022, the dried shelled bean market in Eastern Asia saw consistent volume growth, rising from 1.6 million tons to nearly 2.5 million tons. This expansion was initially supported by government policies such as the non-rice crop cultivation support project, which boosted domestic production. However, from 2020 onward, the primary driver shifted to surging imports, which more than tripled over the period. The COVID-19 pandemic increased household consumption of beans, while a significant price gap kept domestic beans uncompetitive, channeling demand toward imported supplies. By 2022, new demand from non-food sectors like bioenergy, cosmetics, and textiles provided additional momentum for market growth.

Market volume retreated to 2.3 million tons in 2023, as imports fell by over 130 thousand tons. This adjustment occurred alongside a rapid expansion of paddy bean cultivation area, which raised concerns about domestic oversupply and potential price declines. Concurrently, delays in government purchase payments and the persistent high cost of domestic beans—roughly three times the price of imports—continued to constrain broader consumption growth, highlighting structural challenges in the market.

Throughout the period, government efforts focused on increasing domestic production through direct payments for strategic crops and higher purchase prices. However, industry discussions emphasized the urgent need to shift from production expansion to building a stronger consumption base, including quality standardization, variety development, and linking producers with end-users in food and non-food applications.

Production dried shelled beans in Eastern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried shelled beans, 2017-2020

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

In Eastern Asia, dried shelled bean production reached 1 728 thousand tonnes in 2020, marking a slight decline of 0.9% from the previous year. Production hit its lowest point in 2018 at 1 726 thousand tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 1 744 thousand tonnes. The most significant decrease was observed in 2018 at 0.9%, whereas 2019 saw the largest increase of 1.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of dried shelled bean production in Eastern Asia stood at 2 324 million US dollars in 2020, reflecting a year-on-year contraction of 5.8%. From 2017 to 2020, production value fell by 11.7%, translating to an annualized decline of 4.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 222 million US dollars, with the sharpest drop that year at 15.6%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 11.1%.

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

Exports dried shelled beans from Eastern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

Exports of dried shelled beans from Eastern Asia declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports totaled 317.9 thousand tonnes, showing a gradual decrease of 3.4% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 15.4%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 5.4%. The highest export volume was in 2018 at 400.9 thousand tonnes, with the most significant decline occurring in 2019 at 17.9%, while 2018 saw the largest increase of 6.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports in kind were distributed across a diverse range of partner countries. India accounted for 13.1% of exports, Vietnam for 12.0%, and Cuba for 7.2%, with these three countries together representing just 32.4% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The value of dried shelled bean exports from Eastern Asia declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, export value reached 427.5 million US dollars, indicating a modest decrease of 8.2% from 2019. Over the period 2017-2020, exports decreased by 24.7%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -9.0%.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that exports in value terms were not concentrated on a few key destinations. Vietnam led with 18.1% of exports, followed by India at 10.6%, and Cuba at 6.1%, with these three countries collectively accounting for only 34.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports dried shelled beans to Eastern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Imports of dried shelled beans into Eastern Asia increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports amounted to 399.3 thousand tonnes, representing a substantial year-on-year rise of 21.3%. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 76%, with a CAGR of 20.7%.

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

Over 2017–2020, imports in kind were widely dispersed across partner countries. Myanmar accounted for 24.2% of imports, Canada for 9.4%, and Uzbekistan for 8.7%, with these three together making up only 42.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

The value of dried shelled bean imports into Eastern Asia rose for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 417.9 million US dollars, marking a steep increase of 26.6% compared to the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, imports increased by 50.7%, with a CAGR of 14.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country breakdown of imports in value terms remained scattered. Myanmar accounted for 19.1% of imports, Canada for 9.7%, and Australia for 6.2%, with these three countries together representing just 34.9% of total flows, and no single partner emerged as clearly dominant.

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

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