Dried shelled beans market in Nepal

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for dried shelled beans in Nepal experienced considerable volatility from 2018 to 2023, falling from 73 941 tons to 37 861 tons. A sharp decline in 2020 to 50 887 tons was driven by COVID-19 pandemic disruptions to global supply chains, which severely limited imports. A strong recovery followed in 2021, with the market rebounding to 73 622 tons as new government directives to improve production and storage took effect and several new processing plants commenced operations.

Domestic production remained relatively stable throughout the period, averaging around 18 500 tons annually. This stability was supported by active state-owned seed companies and agricultural cooperatives, which facilitated distribution and technology transfer under the National Seed Policy 2013-2025, alongside government subsidy programs for farmers.

The market structure evolved with the entry of new players in 2022, increasing competition. Regulatory changes also played a role, including the implementation of stricter labeling and packaging rules in 2019 and 2021 to enhance consumer safety. A growing consumer preference for organic and locally produced beans emerged as a consistent trend influencing demand.

Production dried shelled beans in Nepal

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dried shelled beans, 2017-2020

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

Nepal's production of dried shelled beans has declined for the third year in a row. In 2019, the country produced 18 291 tonnes, but by 2020 this had fallen by 1.8% to 18 291 tonnes. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production dropped by 5.4%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.8%.

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

Exports dried shelled beans from Nepal

Exports in kind, t

Exports of dried shelled beans from Nepal have also decreased for three consecutive years. In 2019, exports stood at 3 tonnes, but in 2020 they plummeted by 66.1% to just 3 tonnes. From 2017 to 2020, exports fell dramatically by 99.1%, with an annualized decline rate of 78.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, India dominated Nepal's dried shelled bean exports, accounting for 99.5% of the total volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of Nepal's dried shelled bean exports has declined for the third year running. In 2019, exports were valued at 2 thousand US dollars, and by 2020 this had decreased by 8.8% to 2 thousand US dollars. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value dropped by 97.6%, with an annualized rate of decline of 71.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India remained the primary destination for Nepal's dried shelled bean exports in value terms, representing 98.3% of the total.

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

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

Imports dried shelled beans to Nepal

Imports in kind, t

Nepal's imports of dried shelled beans have fallen for two consecutive years. In 2019, imports were 32 599 tonnes, but in 2020 they saw a sharp decline of 28.2% to 32 599 tonnes. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 20.9%, with an average annual decline of 7.5%. The peak was in 2018 at 55 193 tonnes, which marked a significant increase of 33.9% from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main suppliers of dried shelled beans to Nepal were Myanmar, with 55.1% of imports in volume, India at 15.9%, and Canada at 10.3%. Together, these three countries accounted for 81.3% of Nepal's total imports by volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of Nepal's dried shelled bean imports has declined for three years in a row. In 2019, imports were worth 25 880 thousand US dollars, and by 2020 this had decreased by 3.7% to 25 880 thousand US dollars. Between 2017 and 2020, import value fell by 18.8%, with an annualized decline rate of 6.7%.

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

During 2017-2020, Myanmar led Nepal's dried shelled bean imports in value terms with a 53.7% share, followed by India at 19.6% and Canada at 7.4%. Collectively, these three countries made up 80.6% of the total import value.

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

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