Dried shelled beans market in Tanzania

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2021, Tanzania's dried shelled beans market experienced strong growth, with production climbing from 1 219 тыс. т to 1 772 тыс. т and market volume increasing from 1 203 тыс. т to 1 690 тыс. т. This expansion was primarily driven by the entry of new processors and brands, which boosted supply, coupled with a shift in consumer preferences toward healthier, protein-rich foods that raised demand for dried beans. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 reinforced this trend as households sought nutritious, shelf-stable staples. During this period, several major companies also expanded their production facilities, further lifting output, while state-owned enterprises helped maintain stable distribution, especially during supply chain disruptions.

In 2022, the market volume contracted to 1 405 тыс. т as the industry adjusted to stricter quality and labeling regulations, and changes in tax policy created short-term uncertainty. However, production and market volume recovered in 2023, reaching 1 695 тыс. т and 1 596 тыс. т respectively, reflecting the sector's adaptation and renewed consumer demand.

Production dried shelled beans in Tanzania

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, Tanzania ranked 6th globally in dried shelled beans production.

Top producers of dried shelled beans, 2017-2020

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

Tanzania's dried shelled beans production rose for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 1 498 K t, marking a 13.1% year-on-year increase. However, from 2017 to 2020, overall production fell by 6.7%, averaging a 2.3% annual decline. The lowest output was in 2018 at 1 219 K t, which saw the steepest drop of 24.1%.

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

Exports dried shelled beans from Tanzania

Exports in kind, t

The market showed an unstable trend over this period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 4.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Tanzania exported 67 920 t of dried shelled beans, a sharp 140.0% increase from the previous year. The minimum volume was 16 197 t in 2018, which also experienced the largest decline of 70.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India, Pakistan, and the United Arab Emirates were the main export markets for dried shelled beans, accounting for 65.3%, 9.7%, and 8.5% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, they made up 83.4% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Market performance saw noticeable fluctuations during this time. Export values dropped to their minimum in 2018 and climbed to their maximum in 2017, with a 443-fold shift. In 2020, Tanzania's dried shelled beans exports reached 31 959 K $ US, up 115.5% from the previous year. The lowest value was 77 K $ US in 2018, which had the largest decline of 99.8%. The biggest increase occurred in 2019 at 19 157.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Tanzania's export structure in value terms was heavily concentrated on India, which accounted for 74.7% of total flows, with other partners making up the remainder.

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

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

Imports dried shelled beans to Tanzania

Imports in kind, t

The data indicates irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market. Import volumes fell to their lowest in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 4.5-fold difference. In 2020, Tanzania imported 4 135 t of dried shelled beans, a slight 4.3% decrease from 2019. The minimum was 967 t in 2018, while the maximum was 4 319 t in 2019. The largest decline of 42.4% was in 2018, and the biggest increase of 346.4% occurred in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports in kind were highly dependent on Uganda, which absorbed 94.9% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The data reveals irregular changes, signaling a volatile market. Import values dropped to their lowest in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 2.4-fold difference. In 2020, Tanzania imported about 450 K $ US of dried shelled beans, down 23.3% from 2019. The minimum was 244 K $ US in 2018, and the maximum was 586 K $ US in 2019. The largest decline of 44.0% was in 2018, while the biggest increase of 140.1% was in 2019.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Uganda was the key source for Tanzania's dried shelled beans imports, accounting for 83.1% of total value, with other destinations playing a much smaller role.

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

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