Dried shelled broad and horse beans market in Portugal

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled broad and horse beans in Portugal experienced considerable volatility between 2018 and 2023. After a sharp contraction to 3.6 thousand t in 2019, market volume recovered to 4.1 thousand t in 2020 and entered a period of sustained expansion, ultimately reaching 6.6 thousand t by 2023.

Market growth in 2021 coincided with the development of a new bean variety in China, a global innovation that increased worldwide supply and could have stimulated sectoral activity. The following year, the market demonstrated resilience by posting a slight gain to 5.0 thousand t. This occurred against a backdrop of the most severe drought since 1931 and the geopolitical fallout from the war in Ukraine, which together raised production costs and placed significant pressure on agricultural supply chains.

A pronounced surge lifted the market to its peak of 6.6 thousand t in 2023. In the subsequent years for which trade data is available, imports fell from a high of 4.3 thousand t in 2023 to 1.5 thousand t in 2025, while exports, after spiking to 1.3 thousand t in 2023, returned to more moderate levels.

Production dried shelled broad and horse beans in Portugal

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Top producers of dried shelled broad and horse beans, 2018-2021

World map of production of dried shelled broad and horse beans, 2018-2021

Portugal's production of dried shelled broad and horse beans has increased for the second year in a row. In 2021, the country produced 3 270 tonnes, marking a significant 29.2% rise compared to 2020. Looking at the period from 2018 to 2021, overall production grew by 6.9%, which translates to an average annual increase of 2.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 2 090 tonnes, with the largest decline occurring that same year at 31.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports dried shelled broad and horse beans from Portugal

Exports in kind, t

The market for dried shelled broad and horse beans exports from Portugal showed an unstable trend over the observed period. Exports peaked in 2018 and reached their lowest point in 2020, with a 13.8-fold difference between these years. In 2021, Portugal exported 42 tonnes, reflecting a substantial increase of 167.5% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 16 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 92.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, t

From 2018 to 2021, Spain remained the leading buyer of dried shelled broad and horse beans from Portugal, accounting for 82.2% of total exports in volume. The remaining exports were distributed among various other countries.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Portugal in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Exports in value terms reached their highest point in 2019 and fell to their lowest in 2020, with a 3.2-fold gap between these years. In 2021, Portugal's export value for dried shelled broad and horse beans amounted to 55 thousand US dollars, representing an 82.7% increase compared to 2020. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 30 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2019 at 96 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2020 at 68.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Portugal in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Spain, France, and Morocco were the main destinations for Portugal's dried shelled broad and horse beans exports in value terms. Spain accounted for 54.5% of exports, France for 17.6%, and Morocco for 5.2%, together making up 77.3% of total export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from Portugal in value, 2018-2021

Imports dried shelled broad and horse beans to Portugal

Imports in kind, t

After two years of decline, Portugal's imports of dried shelled broad and horse beans increased in 2021. Imports totaled 1 658 tonnes, showing a 3.3% gain compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 59.1%, which corresponds to an average annual decline of 25.8%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 1 606 tonnes, with the largest drop occurring in 2019 at 58.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Portugal in kind, 2018-2021, t

Throughout 2018 to 2021, Spain dominated the geographical structure of Portugal's imports in volume, holding a 91.9% share of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Portugal in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

Following a two-year contraction, Portugal's import value for dried shelled broad and horse beans rose in 2021. The country imported approximately 954 thousand US dollars worth of these beans, amounting to a 7.0% increase compared to the previous year. From 2018 to 2021, imports decreased by 38.9%, equating to an average annual decline of 15.1%. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 891 thousand US dollars, with the largest decline in 2019 at 38.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Portugal in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

From 2018 to 2021, Spain was the dominant partner for Portugal's imports in value terms, accounting for 81.2% of total flows, while other markets had relatively smaller shares.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to Portugal in value, 2018-2021