Dried shelled beans market in ECOWAS

Earlier Report Observations

The dried shelled beans market in ECOWAS showed considerable volatility between 2018 and 2023. Production and market volume grew steadily from 8.6 million tons to over 9.2 million tons by 2020, before contracting sharply to 8.0 million tons in 2021. A strong rebound followed in 2022, with output surging to 9.6 million tons, representing a 20% year-on-year market expansion. The trend reversed again in 2023, as production declined to 8.8 million tons.

In 2024, the industry landscape evolved with several notable developments. AGT Africa acquired Pannar's dry bean seed business, expanding its portfolio with locally adapted varieties to strengthen regional supply for African producers. Exports from the region increased significantly to 61 thousand tons. The broader market continued to be shaped by global trends, including rising demand for plant-based proteins and convenient, nutritious foods, alongside ongoing challenges from climate variability and diseases like halo blight that can impact yields.

Production dried shelled beans in ECOWAS

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried shelled beans, 2017-2020

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

ECOWAS has seen its dried shelled beans production grow for the third year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 9 188 thousand tonnes, which represents a 6.2% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 19.6%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 6.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of dried shelled beans production in ECOWAS has also increased for three consecutive years. In 2020, output was valued at 10 477 million US dollars, showing a modest 8.5% improvement compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value grew by 28.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.6%.

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

Exports dried shelled beans from ECOWAS

Exports in kind, t

ECOWAS's dried shelled beans exports have declined for the second year running. In 2020, exports totaled 5 373 tonnes, marking a sharp drop of 26.5% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 64.7%, with an average annual decline of 29.3%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 19 099 tonnes, which saw a 25.6% increase that year. However, the largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 61.7% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and India were consistently the main destinations for ECOWAS's dried shelled beans exports in volume terms. The Netherlands accounted for 2.1% of exports, the United Kingdom for 1.0%, and India for 0.9%. Together, these three countries represented 4.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of dried shelled beans exports from ECOWAS has also fallen for two consecutive years. In 2020, exports were valued at 6 127 thousand US dollars, indicating a significant decrease of 24.9% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, export value dropped by 62.2%, equating to an average annual decline of 27.7%. The peak value was recorded in 2018 at 20 738 thousand US dollars, which saw a 28.0% increase that year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with a 60.7% decrease.

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

In value terms from 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, India, and the United Arab Emirates were among the largest buyers of dried shelled beans from ECOWAS. The Netherlands accounted for 5.2% of export value, India for 1.3%, and the United Arab Emirates for 1.2%. However, even combined, these three countries represented only 7.7% of total export value, highlighting a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Imports dried shelled beans to ECOWAS

Imports in kind, t

Following a two-year decline, ECOWAS's dried shelled beans imports rebounded in 2020. The region imported 14 648 tonnes that year, showing a sudden increase of 56.6% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 21.7%, with an average annual rate of 6.8%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 9 354 tonnes, which saw a 15.6% decline that year.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the geographical structure of ECOWAS's dried shelled beans imports in volume terms was highly diversified. China accounted for 8.2% of imports, Portugal for 7.0%, and the United States for 4.2%. Together, these three countries made up only 19.4% of total import flows, with the remaining 80.6% distributed among numerous smaller partner countries.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market for dried shelled beans imports into ECOWAS showed volatility over the observed period. Import value dropped to its lowest point in 2019 at 10 673 thousand US dollars, which saw a 17.3% decline that year, before climbing to a peak in 2020 at 20 773 thousand US dollars, representing a 94.6% increase from the previous year. This resulted in a 1.9-fold shift between the two years.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China, Portugal, and the United States were the largest contributors to ECOWAS's dried shelled beans imports in value terms. China accounted for 19.3% of import value, Portugal for 16.7%, and the United States for 14.1%. Together, these three countries jointly accounted for 50.1% of total import flows.

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

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