Dried shelled beans market in Zambia

Earlier Report Observations

During 2018 and 2019, dried shelled bean production in Zambia remained stable at around 64 thousand tons annually. This occurred despite anthracnose disease and frequent drought episodes, which were identified as significant constraints on yields. The period also saw growing interest in pinto beans, a new market class for Zambia, with genotypes being evaluated for drought tolerance and disease resistance to support production expansion.

From 2020 to 2022, production gradually increased, reaching 74.2 thousand tons in 2022. Market volume followed a more variable trajectory, rising to 71.7 thousand tons in 2020 before declining over the next two years to 63.6 thousand tons in 2022.

In 2023, production surged by 36% to 101.1 thousand tons, driving market volume up to 89.6 thousand tons and marking a substantial expansion of the sector.

Production dried shelled beans in Zambia

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dried shelled beans, 2017-2020

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

Zambia produced 71,410 tons of dried shelled beans in 2020, marking a substantial 12.2% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 16.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.1%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 0.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Zambia in kind, 2017-2020, t

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

In 2020, Zambia's dried shelled bean output was valued at 63,571 thousand US dollars, showing a 2.8% gain compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production value increased by 14.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.7%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 67,214 thousand US dollars, while the largest decline of 8.0% occurred in 2019. The most significant increase of 21.4% was also observed in 2018.

Annual dynamics of production in Zambia in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports dried shelled beans from Zambia

Exports in kind, t

Zambia's exports of dried shelled beans declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 612 tons, representing a substantial 16.8% decrease compared to 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, exports fell by 91%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 55.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zimbabwe dominated Zambia's dried shelled bean exports in volume terms, jointly accounting for 81.7% of total flows. Other countries held much smaller individual shares during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Zambia's dried shelled bean exports declined for the third consecutive year in value terms. In 2020, exports totaled 544 thousand US dollars, marking a notable 23.7% decrease compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value decreased by 91.1%, with an average annual decline rate of 55.4%.

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

During 2017-2020, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zimbabwe served as the dominant destinations for Zambia's dried shelled bean exports in value terms, jointly accounting for 82.7% of total flows. Other markets represented the remaining share.

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

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

Imports dried shelled beans to Zambia

Imports in kind, t

Zambia's dried shelled bean imports showed significant volatility during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 23-fold difference between these years. In 2020, import volume totaled 876 tons, reflecting a sharp 1,292.3% increase compared to 2019. The largest decline of 54.9% was recorded in 2019.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Malawi and South Africa dominated Zambia's dried shelled bean imports in volume terms, together accounting for 85.9% of total flows. Other destinations made smaller individual contributions during this period.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Zambia's dried shelled bean imports experienced noticeable fluctuations in value during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, showing a 20-fold fluctuation. In 2020, imports totaled 1,071 thousand US dollars, reflecting a steep 1,362.1% increase compared to 2019. The largest decline of 59.4% was recorded in 2019.

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

During 2017-2020, Malawi and South Africa continued to lead as the main sources for Zambia's dried shelled bean imports in value terms, together accounting for 85.8% of total flows. Other trading partners played a supplementary role during this period.

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

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