Dried shelled beans market in Western Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The volume of the dried shelled beans market in Western Africa fluctuated between 2018 and 2023, starting at 8 591 thousand tonnes in 2018 and reaching 9 219 thousand tonnes in 2020. The launch of the Ghana Commodity Exchange (GCX) in 2018 facilitated regulated trading and reduced post-harvest losses for agricultural commodities, providing a more transparent and efficient market structure that supported initial growth.

Market volume dropped to 7 999 thousand tonnes in 2021 before recovering to 9 590 thousand tonnes in 2022. The Ministry of Agriculture's ongoing promotion of sustainable and modernized farming through research and technology development aimed to strengthen long-term productivity. However, in 2023, the market declined to 8 844 thousand tonnes amid calls for a policy overhaul in the seed sector, highlighting dependence on imported seeds and the need for local innovation to sustain production volumes.

In 2024, regulatory approval of new genetically modified organisms for crops like maize and soy, along with initiatives such as the West Africa Food Systems Resilience Project, focused on enhancing farmer resilience and introducing climate-smart agricultural technologies, indicating continued efforts to transform the sector's foundational capabilities.

Production dried shelled beans in Western 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

Western Africa's dried shelled bean production has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 9 209 thousand tons of dried shelled beans, marking a controlled rise of 6.2% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production grew by 19.6%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 6.1%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Dried shelled bean production in Western Africa has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 10 502 million US dollars, representing an increase of 8.4% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value rose by 28%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 8.6%.

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

Exports dried shelled beans from Western Africa

Exports in kind, t

Exported volumes of dried shelled beans from Western Africa declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 5 373 tons, a sharp reduction of 26.5% compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 64.7%, with an annualized decline rate of 29.3%. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 19 099 tons. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 61.7%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 25.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands (accounting for 2.1% of exports in kind), the United Kingdom (1.0%), and India (0.9%) together represented 4.0% of total exports in kind, remaining the main destinations for dried shelled beans from Western Africa.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Dried shelled bean exports from Western Africa declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 6 127 thousand US dollars, a solid decline of 24.9% compared to the previous year. Over the period 2017-2020, exports decreased by 62.2%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of -27.7%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 20 738 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 60.7%, while the largest increase was in 2018, rising by 28.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports in value terms of dried shelled beans from Western Africa were distributed across many countries. The Netherlands (5.2% of exports in value terms), India (1.3%), and the United Arab Emirates (1.2%) jointly accounted for only 7.7% of total flows.

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

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

Imports dried shelled beans to Western Africa

Imports in kind, t

After a two-year decline, imported volumes of dried shelled beans in Western Africa increased. In 2020, imports reached 14 661 tons, an abrupt increase of 56.7% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 21.7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 6.8%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 9 357 tons, with the largest decline that year of 15.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the partner portfolio for imports in kind of dried shelled beans to Western Africa was quite broad. China (8.2% of imports in kind), Portugal (7.0%), and the United States (4.2%) together represented only 19.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. The lowest imports were recorded in 2019, with the highest in 2020, reflecting a 1.9-fold gap. In 2020, Western Africa's imports of dried shelled beans amounted to 20 790 thousand US dollars, representing a 94.7% increase compared to the previous year. The minimum value was in 2019 at 10 677 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline that year of 17.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China (19.3% of imports in value terms), Portugal (16.7%), and the United States (14.1%) continued to lead the list of suppliers of dried shelled beans to Western Africa, jointly accounting for 50.1% of total imports in value terms.

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

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