Dried shelled beans market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2019, the Central Bank of Nigeria's anchor borrower scheme supported increased soybean production in the country, the largest producer in Sub-Saharan Africa. This policy aimed to boost local output and reduce imports, contributing to the regional supply of dried shelled beans. During this period, the total market volume for the region remained at a high level, although it saw a slight decrease from 15 668 thousand tonnes to 15 468 thousand tonnes.

The market volume then rose significantly to 16 834 thousand tonnes in 2020, before contracting to 15 303 thousand tonnes in 2021. These shifts reflect broader changes in regional supply and demand conditions over the two-year period.

A recovery followed in 2022, with the market volume reaching 16 899 thousand tonnes, before a modest decline to 16 468 thousand tonnes in 2023. By 2024, external factors such as floods and regional insecurity in northern Nigeria introduced significant price volatility and supply constraints for beans, impacting market conditions.

Production dried shelled beans in Sub-Saharan Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried shelled beans, 2017-2020

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

In Sub-Saharan Africa, 17 116 K t of dried shelled beans were produced in 2020, marking an 8.8% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 11.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 1.4%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, dried shelled beans production in Sub-Saharan Africa rebounded. In 2020, the output was valued at 13 643 M $ US, representing a 14.8% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, production rose by 8.7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 2.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 11 886 M $ US, while the largest decline of 4.9% occurred in 2018.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports dried shelled beans from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, K t

Sub-Saharan Africa exported 377.6 K t of dried shelled beans in 2020, showing a modest year-over-year increase of 6.1%. However, between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 7.5%, with an annualized decline rate of 2.6%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 356.1 K t, and the highest was in 2018 at 446.1 K t. The largest decline of 20.2% was recorded in 2019, while the largest increase of 9.3% occurred in 2018.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export partner landscape for dried shelled beans in kind was diverse. India accounted for 15.2% of exports, Vietnam for 6.1%, and Pakistan for 6.0%, together forming only 27.3% of total flows. The remaining 72.7% was distributed among many other countries, indicating a wide spread of destinations.

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

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, dried shelled beans exports from Sub-Saharan Africa reached 301.0 M $ US, an 11.9% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 9.5%, with an annualized decline rate of 3.3%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 269.1 M $ US, and the highest was in 2018 at 334.0 M $ US. The largest decline of 19.4% was recorded in 2019.

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

Data from 2017 to 2020 show that exports of dried shelled beans from Sub-Saharan Africa in value terms were not concentrated on a few key markets. India accounted for 17.6% of exports, Pakistan for 6.9%, and Vietnam for 5.8%, jointly making up only 30.3% of total flows, with the rest going to various other destinations.

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

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020

Imports dried shelled beans to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, Sub-Saharan Africa's imports of dried shelled beans in kind increased. In 2020, imports totaled 95.7 K t, up by 1.2% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 59.7%, with an annualized decline rate of 26.1%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 94.5 K t, and the largest decline of 43.4% also occurred in 2019.

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

The partner structure for imports in kind from 2017 to 2020 was fragmented. Canada accounted for 16.5% of imports, China for 2.8%, and Portugal for 2.0%, together representing only 21.2% of total flows. No single country held a dominant share, indicating a diverse sourcing pattern.

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

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, dried shelled beans imports into Sub-Saharan Africa increased. In 2020, imports totaled 135.7 M $ US, a 6.4% rise from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 43.7%, with a compound annual decline rate of 17.4%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 127.5 M $ US, and the largest decline of 39.7% was also recorded in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, dried shelled beans imports into Sub-Saharan Africa were sourced from a broad set of markets. Canada accounted for 29.5% of imports in value terms, China for 6.0%, and the United States for 4.1%, together making up only 39.6% of total imports. The remaining 60.4% came from many smaller destinations, reflecting a diversified import structure.

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

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020