Dried shelled beans market in MENA

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled beans in the MENA region expanded from 515.7 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 698.7 thousand tons in 2021. This growth was driven by a substantial rise in domestic production, which increased by over 50% during the period, supported by broader growth in fruit and vegetable output across North Africa that boosted overall agricultural capacity.

After 2021, the market volume contracted to 593.6 thousand tons by 2023 as exports recovered strongly. Egypt's position as a major global bean exporter, coupled with government investments of around USD 2.73 billion in integrated agricultural development projects, helped redirect output toward international markets, reducing domestic availability.

In 2024, trade flows continued to evolve, with exports surging to 424.0 thousand tons and imports rising to 364.4 thousand tons. This shift was facilitated by new distribution partnerships, such as the strategic agreement between KissanPro and Barakat Vegetables & Fruit Co, and growing e‑commerce penetration in the region. Additionally, Egyptian government subsidies for fertilizers reduced production costs, supporting local bean farming efficiency.

Production dried shelled beans in MENA

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried shelled beans, 2017-2020

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

MENA's dried shelled beans production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 405.0 K t of dried shelled beans, marking a slight increase of 1.3% compared to the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 11.8%, which translates to an annualized rate of 3.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 304.8 K t, with the largest decline of 15.9% occurring that same year. In contrast, the most significant increase was observed in 2019, with a rise of 31.2%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

MENA's dried shelled beans production value has also risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 515.4 M $ US, representing an 18.0% increase year-over-year. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 34.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 10.4%. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 372.8 M $ US, which saw the largest decline of 2.7% during that period.

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

Exports dried shelled beans from MENA

Exports in kind, K t

In 2020, dried shelled beans shipments from MENA to abroad reached 137.8 K t, showing a strong gain of 22.5% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 8.7%, with an annualized rate of 2.8%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 112.5 K t, which also experienced the largest decline of 15.9% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports in kind of dried shelled beans from MENA were distributed across many countries. Turkey accounted for 8.0% of exports in kind, Romania for 7.8%, and India for 6.4%, with these three countries together representing only 22.3% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of dried shelled beans leaving MENA registered 175.4 M $ US, up by 42.8% versus the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 30.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 9.4%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 122.9 M $ US, which saw the largest decline of 24.9% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of exports in value terms remained highly diversified. Turkey and Romania each accounted for 8.0% of exports in value terms, while India represented 4.6%. Together, these three countries accounted for only 20.7% of total flows, with a long tail of smaller markets making up the remaining 79.3%.

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

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

Imports dried shelled beans to MENA

Imports in kind, K t

The volume of dried shelled beans imports into MENA declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, MENA imported 293.1 K t of dried shelled beans, constituting a strong drop of 12.7% versus the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 17.7%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 6.3%.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports in kind of dried shelled beans to MENA were not heavily concentrated. Turkey accounted for 17.4% of imports in kind, Argentina for 13.8%, and China for 6.8%, with these three countries together capturing only 38.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Dried shelled beans deliveries to MENA declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, MENA imported 324.4 M $ US of dried shelled beans, which is 1.6% less relative to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 14.5%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 5.1%.

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

Over 2017 to 2020, imports in value terms of dried shelled beans to MENA were widely dispersed across partner countries. Turkey accounted for 18.5% of imports in value terms, Argentina for 14.7%, and China for 6.7%, with these three countries together representing only 39.9% of total flows.

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

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