Dried shelled beans market in Kenya, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled beans in Kenya opened the period at a high volume of 1.2 million tons in 2018. This level was supported by the expanding presence of major retail chains like Carrefour, which improved product availability and variety for consumers, and by the ongoing activities of the state-owned Kenya Seed Company, which supplied quality seeds to bolster agricultural production. Subsequently, the market volume contracted, falling to 1.0 million tons in 2019 and then to 0.8 million tons by 2021.

A recovery phase began in 2022, with the market growing to 0.9 million tons. This upturn was facilitated by platforms like the trade fairs organized by the Agricultural Society of Kenya, which enhanced market access and visibility for products. The growth accelerated in 2023, with volume reaching 1.1 million tons, primarily driven by government subsidies on fertilizers and seeds that directly boosted crop production, alongside a broader policy focus on agricultural transformation.

Production dried shelled beans in Kenya

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Kenya ranked as the world's 10th largest producer of dried shelled beans.

Top producers of dried shelled beans, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Kenya produced 1 038.5 thousand tonnes of dried shelled beans, marking a 7.1% increase from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 7.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.3%. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, when production fell by 6.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following two years of decline, dried shelled bean production in Kenya rebounded. In 2020, the output was valued at 658.1 million US dollars, up 37.5% from the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 9.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 3.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 478.5 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 12.2%.

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

Exports dried shelled beans from Kenya

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports peaked in 2018 at 41.8 thousand tonnes and reached their lowest point in 2019 at 13.8 thousand tonnes, with a threefold difference between these years. In 2020, Kenya exported 33.1 thousand tonnes of dried shelled beans, representing a sharp increase of 140.6% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when exports fell by 67.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main destinations for Kenya's dried shelled bean exports in volume terms were Pakistan (46.6% of exports), Uganda (14.0%), and India (13.8%). Together, these three countries accounted for 74.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. Export values peaked in 2018 at 22 098 thousand US dollars and bottomed out in 2019 at 6 799 thousand US dollars, with a top-to-bottom ratio of 3.3 times. In 2020, dried shelled bean deliveries from Kenya totaled 21 002 thousand US dollars, indicating a sharp advance of 208.9% compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 69.2%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, Pakistan (49.8% of exports in value terms), India (15.2%), and the United Arab Emirates (10.4%) made the biggest contributions to Kenya's dried shelled bean exports. Collectively, they accounted for 75.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports dried shelled beans to Kenya

Imports in kind, K t

Dried shelled bean imports into Kenya declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports stood at 35.8 thousand tonnes, representing a sharp drop of 52.8% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 85.2%, with an average annual decline rate of 47.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Uganda was the primary source for Kenya's dried shelled bean imports in volume terms, accounting for 70.3% of total flows. Other markets contributed smaller shares, forming a long tail of partners.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Import values varied significantly, with a 6.9-fold difference between the maximum in 2018 at 74 514 thousand US dollars and the minimum in 2020 at 10 735 thousand US dollars. In 2020, Kenya imported 10 735 thousand US dollars worth of dried shelled beans, down 43.5% from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 74.5%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 at 0.3%.

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

In 2017-2020, Uganda remained the main market for Kenya's dried shelled bean imports in value terms, with a share of 75.8% of total flows. The remaining volume was distributed across numerous other destinations.

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

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