Dried shelled beans market in South America

Earlier Report Observations

The dried shelled beans market in South America saw volume grow from 3.45 million tonnes in 2018 to 3.74 million tonnes in 2021, while its value increased from 3.14 billion US dollars to 4.25 billion US dollars. This expansion was fueled by a rising consumer shift toward plant-based and health-conscious diets, which elevated demand. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further boosted household consumption of staple foods like beans. At the same time, bean production in Brazil rose due to expanded cultivated area and improved productivity, helping to meet the higher demand.

Market volume then declined to 3.66 million tonnes in 2022 and 3.63 million tonnes in 2023, with value falling to 3.55 billion and 3.37 billion US dollars, respectively. This contraction was primarily caused by adverse weather events in key producing countries. Frosts in Argentina significantly reduced bean output in 2022, while excessive rains and droughts in Brazil impaired both production and quality in 2023, limiting overall market supply.

Production dried shelled beans in South America

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried shelled beans, 2017-2020

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

South America's dried shelled bean production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 4 186 K t of dried shelled beans, marking a moderate 6.7% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 6.5%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.1%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 3 811 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 3.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

South America's dried shelled bean production has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 4 160 M $ US, representing a significant 15.2% increase compared to 2019. However, over the 2017-2020 period, production value decreased by 6.8%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 3 368 M $ US, which experienced the largest decline of 24.6%.

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

Exports dried shelled beans from South America

Exports in kind, K t

After a two-year rise, South America's dried shelled bean export volumes declined in 2020. The region exported 595.5 K t, a reduction of 1.4% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 52.8%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 15.2%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 604.1 K t, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 26.5%.

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

The country composition of South America's dried shelled bean exports in kind from 2017 to 2020 was dispersed. India accounted for 12.1% of exports, Vietnam for 7.2%, and Turkey for 6.0%, together forming just 25.3% of total flows. The remaining 74.7% was distributed among a wide range of other destinations.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

South America's dried shelled bean export value has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 591.8 M $ US, up by 6.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 33.7%, with an annualized rate of 10.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 435.8 M $ US, which saw a decline of 1.6%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 27.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner structure for South America's dried shelled bean exports in value terms was balanced rather than concentrated. India accounted for 9.0% of exports, Spain for 7.7%, and Turkey for 7.4%, jointly representing 24.2% of total flows. Many other countries accounted for the remaining 75.8%.

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

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

Imports dried shelled beans to South America

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, South America's imported dried shelled bean volumes totaled 100.7 K t, a sharp decrease of 44.3% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 47.4%, equating to an annualized decline of 19.3%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 33.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mexico (7.5% of imports in kind), China (6.5%), and the United States (6.0%) were among the largest suppliers of dried shelled beans to South America. However, even together they represented just 19.9% of total imports in kind, indicating a broadly diversified partner base.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

South America's imported dried shelled bean volumes have declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 184.5 M $ US, showing a loss of 6.8% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 15%, with an annualized decline rate of 5.3%.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, imports in value terms of dried shelled beans to South America were widely dispersed across partner countries. Mexico accounted for 10.2% of imports, the United States for 7.9%, and China for 7.4%, together representing only 25.6% of total flows.

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

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