Dried shelled beans market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The dried shelled beans market in Western Asia expanded from 543 thousand tons in 2018 to a peak of 677 thousand tons in 2021, before moderating to 661 thousand tons by 2023. This growth was primarily driven by rising domestic production, which increased from 290 thousand tons to 418 thousand tons over the same period, alongside significant import volumes that remained above 330 thousand tons annually.

Market volume stabilized near 661 thousand tons in 2023. During this period, Egypt strengthened its position as a major global exporter of dried beans, aided by advanced sorting and packaging techniques. Increased worldwide demand for plant-based protein further boosted the competitiveness of Egyptian beans in international markets, with Myanmar also remaining a top exporter.

In 2024, imports into the region rose to 407 thousand tons while exports jumped to 83 thousand tons. Several factors shaped the market environment: frost damage in Argentina reduced lupin bean harvests, affecting Asian supplies; India's legume imports surged by 90% due to domestic shortfalls; blockchain tracking systems began certifying low-carbon beans for sustainable supply chains. Concurrently, changing consumer preferences prompted retail adjustments, Emirati companies expanded agricultural investments abroad, and Egypt actively pursued a strategy to increase white bean exports through promotion and technical support.

Production dried shelled beans in Western 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

Western Asia's production of dried shelled beans has grown for the second year in a row. In 2020, the region produced 382.1 thousand tons, representing a strong 18.5% increase from 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 20%, with an average annual growth rate of 6.3%. The lowest production level was in 2018 at 290.3 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 8.8%.

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

Exports dried shelled beans from Western Asia

Exports in kind, K t

After two years of decline, Western Asia's exports of dried shelled beans rebounded in 2020. The region exported 60.9 thousand tons, up 18.6% year-over-year. However, over the full 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 5.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -1.7%. The lowest export volume was in 2019 at 51.3 thousand tons, which experienced the largest drop of 13.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, no single market dominated Western Asia's dried shelled bean exports. Iran accounted for 8.4% of export volume, India for 4.9%, and Germany for 2.8%, together making up just 16.0% of total exports. The remaining 84.0% was distributed among numerous smaller partners, each with modest individual shares.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Western Asia's dried shelled bean exports have increased in value for two consecutive years. In 2020, exports reached 163.4 million US dollars, up 6.3% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value grew by 39.5%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 11.7%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 112.2 million US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 4.3%. The biggest increase occurred in 2019, with a 37.1% jump.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Western Asia's dried shelled bean export value was spread across a wide range of partners. Iran represented 9.4% of export value, India 4.0%, and Germany 3.9%, together accounting for only 17.3% of total flows. The substantial majority, 82.7%, went to many other countries.

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

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

Imports dried shelled beans to Western Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Western Asia imported 331.0 thousand tons of dried shelled beans in 2020, a moderate decrease of 7.2% from 2019. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 312.1 thousand tons, while the highest was in 2019 at 355.8 thousand tons. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 14.0% rise.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Western Asia's dried shelled bean imports were highly diversified by country. Argentina contributed 14.0% of import volume, Egypt 8.2%, and Kyrgyzstan 8.0%, together making up just 30.2% of total imports. The remaining 69.8% came from a long list of smaller markets.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Western Asia's dried shelled bean imports have grown in value for the second year running. In 2020, imports totaled approximately 368.2 million US dollars, a significant 11.3% increase year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, import value rose by 15.4%, with an annualized growth rate of 4.9%. The lowest value was in 2018 at 263.5 million US dollars, which experienced the largest decline of 17.4%. The biggest increase was in 2019, with a 25.5% surge.

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

The value structure of Western Asia's dried shelled bean imports from 2017 to 2020 shows a diverse set of trading partners. Argentina accounted for 16.5% of import value, Egypt for 9.2%, and Kyrgyzstan for 7.6%, together representing only 33.4% of total flows. The remaining 66.6% was distributed among numerous smaller markets.

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

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