Dried shelled beans market in Namibia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled beans in Namibia experienced significant volatility from 2018 to 2023, with volume swinging from 720 t in 2018 to a peak of 810 t in 2020 before dropping to 365 t by 2023. Imports were the primary driver of these shifts, as domestic production remained relatively stable around 120–125 t per year. Early in the period, the Namibian Agronomic Board highlighted import substitution opportunities for dried vegetables, supporting the sector with packaging, labeling, and supply chain improvements.

A push for food self-sufficiency and market-share promotion rules encouraged sourcing of local produce from 2020 onward, which coincided with a surge in import volume that year to 688 t. However, imports then fell sharply in 2021 and 2022, pulling total market size down. The market contraction in these years occurred alongside continued regulatory focus on quality standards and market access, though no specific factors directly explaining the import drop were reported.

By 2023, the market stabilized at 365 t, with a slight rise in domestic output to 125 t offsetting lower imports. Production faced headwinds from high production costs, drought, and pest diseases, which limited more robust growth. Policies favoring local procurement and emphasis on cold storage and labeling infrastructure remained relevant in the later years of the period.

Production dried shelled beans in Namibia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dried shelled beans, 2017-2020

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

After two consecutive years of growth, Namibia's production of dried shelled beans declined. In 2019, production reached its peak at 122.5 tonnes, representing a 1.4% increase from the previous year. By 2020, output had stabilized at 122.1 tonnes, showing little change compared to 2019.

Annual dynamics of production in Namibia in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports dried shelled beans from Namibia

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Namibia exported 0.2 tonnes of dried shelled beans, marking a significant 66.8% year-over-year increase. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 108.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 27.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Angola, South Africa, and Liberia were Namibia's key export partners for dried shelled beans in volume terms. Angola accounted for 33.9% of exports, South Africa for 24.9%, and Liberia for 10.8%. Together, these three countries represented 69.6% of Namibia's total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed considerable volatility throughout the period. In 2019, export values reached their lowest point, then surged to a peak in 2020, creating a 9.3-fold difference between these two years. Specifically, Namibia's dried shelled bean exports were valued at 0.5 thousand US dollars in 2020, representing an 834.4% increase compared to 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Angola, Liberia, and Lithuania were the largest recipients of Namibia's dried shelled bean exports by value. Angola accounted for 31.3% of export value, Liberia for 19.3%, and Lithuania for 18.3%. Collectively, these three partners represented 68.8% of Namibia's total export value.

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

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

Imports dried shelled beans to Namibia

Imports in kind, t

The market experienced notable fluctuations during this period. In 2017, imports reached their lowest point, then peaked in 2020, showing a 2.3-fold difference between these years. Namibia imported 687.9 tonnes of dried shelled beans in 2020, reflecting a sharp 40.9% increase from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 18.5%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2018 at 100.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, South Africa dominated Namibia's dried shelled bean imports in volume terms, accounting for 77.8% of total imports. The remaining imports were distributed among various other trading partners.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. In 2018, import values hit their lowest point at 285.0 thousand US dollars, then peaked in 2020, creating a 2.5-fold difference between these extremes. Namibia's dried shelled bean imports were valued at 701.3 thousand US dollars in 2020, representing a steep 27.4% increase from 2019. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 27.5%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2019 at 93.1%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, South Africa accounted for 87.1% of Namibia's dried shelled bean imports by value. The remaining import value was distributed across multiple smaller trading partners.

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

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