Dried shelled beans market in Southern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The dried shelled beans market in Southern Asia began the period with significant government intervention, as India's Union Budget 2018-19 introduced a Minimum Support Price (MSP) policy for pulses, guaranteeing prices at least 1.5 times the cost of production to support farmer incomes. Despite this supportive measure, the total market volume declined from 8.5 million tons in 2018 to 7.5 million tons in 2019, before recovering steadily to reach 8.3 million tons by 2021.

Market volume expanded notably to 9.2 million tons in 2022, a growth supported by the continued MSP framework which encouraged domestic production, evident in output rising to 9.0 million tons that year. The following year, however, saw a contraction to 8.8 million tons, coinciding with reported global and domestic price volatility for pulses and soybean, which negatively affected farmer sentiment and was accompanied by protests demanding stronger legal backing for MSP guarantees.

In 2024, the policy backdrop evolved with the cabinet approving increased MSP levels for pulses for the 2024-25 marketing season, reinforcing income support for growers. Concurrently, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) amended food safety regulations, setting new labeling requirements and contaminant limits effective from 2025, which directly impact packaging and compliance for dried bean products. These regulatory changes occur alongside sustained consumer trends in the region favoring nutritious, plant-based foods, which underpin demand.

Production dried shelled beans in Southern Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried shelled beans, 2017-2020

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

After a two-year decline, dried shelled bean production in Southern Asia increased in 2020. That year, the region produced 7 733 K t, marking a 6.8% year-over-year gain. Over the 2017-2020 period, production decreased by 7.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.5%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 7 241 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 12.0%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, the output value of dried shelled beans in Southern Asia reached 9 247 M $ US, representing a significant 14.1% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production value decreased by 4.5%, equating to an annualized rate of -1.5%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 8 101 M $ US, while the maximum occurred in 2018 at 9 975 M $ US. The largest decline of 18.8% was also recorded in 2019.

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

Exports dried shelled beans from Southern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports bottomed in 2019 at 1.6 K t and peaked in 2020 at 33.0 K t, showing a 21-fold difference between these years. In 2020, cross-border shipments of dried shelled beans from Southern Asia totaled 33.0 K t, which is 1 992.5% higher than the previous year. The largest decline of 80.5% was recorded in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Iraq (4.5% of exports in kind), the United States (0.9%), and Japan (0.8%) formed the core group of markets for exports in kind, together accounting for 6.2% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Market behavior was characterized by volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 1.8 M $ US and peaked in 2020 at 39.5 M $ US, with a 22-fold gap between these years. In 2020, Southern Asia exported 39.5 M $ US worth of dried shelled beans, representing a sharp increase of 2 136.7% year-over-year. The largest decline of 82.0% was recorded in 2019.

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

During 2017-2020, Iraq (7.8% of exports in value terms), Japan (1.6%), and the United States (1.6%) consistently remained the main destinations for exports in value terms, together accounting for 11.1% of total flows.

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

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

Imports dried shelled beans to Southern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, the volume of dried shelled bean imports to Southern Asia amounted to 274.5 K t, up 9.2% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 3.4%, equating to an annualized rate of -1.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 251.2 K t, while the maximum occurred in 2018 at 311.6 K t. The largest decline of 19.4% was recorded in 2019, and the largest increase of 9.7% was recorded in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports in kind of dried shelled beans to Southern Asia were distributed across numerous markets. Myanmar (21.6% of imports in kind), Uzbekistan (10.6%), and Kenya (5.8%) jointly accounted for only 38.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, the value of dried shelled bean imports to Southern Asia increased in 2020. That year, the region imported 249.7 M $ US worth of dried shelled beans, representing an 18.3% gain compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 8.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -2.8%. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 211.0 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 15.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country breakdown of imports in value terms remained scattered. Myanmar (18.4% of imports in value terms), Uzbekistan (12.9%), and the United Arab Emirates (7.2%) together accounted for just 38.5% of total flows, with no single partner emerging as clearly dominant.

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

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