Dried shelled broad and horse beans market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled broad and horse beans in Sub-Saharan Africa experienced a contraction to 967 thousand tons in 2019, followed by a recovery to 1 062 thousand tons in 2020. This rebound aligned with reported health challenges in cocoa production, such as the swollen-shoot virus in Ghana, which likely encouraged agricultural shifts toward bean cultivation.

Steady growth continued, with the market reaching 1 149 thousand tons by 2023. Key drivers included Nigerian government financial support for strategic agricultural value chains, featuring dedicated funds and credit guarantees that boosted local production and processing. Concurrently, rising cocoa prices due to global supply shortages and drought conditions in Ivory Coast that reduced cocoa yields made bean farming more attractive, further expanding supply.

In value terms, the market increased from $568.8 million in 2018 to $869.8 million in 2023, reflecting both volume growth and price appreciation. By 2024, trade flows remained active, with imports at 4 thousand tons and exports at 16 thousand tons, indicating sustained market activity.

Production dried shelled broad and horse beans in Sub-Saharan Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried shelled broad and horse beans, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried shelled broad and horse beans, 2017-2020

In Sub-Saharan Africa, production of dried shelled broad and horse beans reached 1 074 thousand tonnes in 2020, marking a 6.4% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 16.2%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.1%. The most significant decline occurred in 2019, when production fell by 4.3%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018 with a 14.1% rise.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Sub-Saharan Africa saw its third consecutive year of growth in the value of dried shelled broad and horse beans production. In 2020, output was valued at 735.5 million US dollars, representing a substantial 20.7% increase compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, the total value of production rose by 39.8%, translating to an average annual growth rate of 11.8%.

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

Exports dried shelled broad and horse beans from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, t

Following two years of growth, exports of dried shelled broad and horse beans from Sub-Saharan Africa declined in 2020. Export volumes totaled 15 299 tonnes, a significant 65.0% decrease from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 16.3%, with an average annual decline of 5.8%. The peak export volume was recorded in 2019 at 43 708 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual increase of 54.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Sudan, Egypt, and Vietnam were the primary export partners for dried shelled broad and horse beans from Sub-Saharan Africa. Sudan accounted for 64.9% of export volumes, Egypt for 13.1%, and Vietnam for 1.3%. Together, these three countries represented 79.3% of total export flows during this period.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

After two years of growth, the value of dried shelled broad and horse beans exports from Sub-Saharan Africa declined in 2020. Export value reached 10.481 million US dollars, representing a 60.3% decrease compared to 2019. The highest export value was recorded in 2019 at 26.409 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual increase of 69.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Sudan, Egypt, and Vietnam accounted for the largest shares of export value for dried shelled broad and horse beans from Sub-Saharan Africa. Sudan represented 59.2% of export value, Egypt 15.7%, and Vietnam 1.9%. Collectively, these three partners comprised 76.9% of total export value during this period.

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

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

Imports dried shelled broad and horse beans to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, t

Following two years of decline, imports of dried shelled broad and horse beans into Sub-Saharan Africa increased in 2020. Import volumes reached 3 328 tonnes, representing a sharp 60.9% rise from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 14.8%, with an average annual decline of 5.2%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 2 068 tonnes, while the largest annual decline occurred in 2018 with a 44.8% decrease.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Niue, the United Arab Emirates, and China were among the largest suppliers of dried shelled broad and horse beans to Sub-Saharan Africa. Niue accounted for 1.6% of import volumes, the United Arab Emirates for 1.5%, and China for 1.5%. However, even combined, these three partners represented just 4.5% of total import volumes, indicating a highly diversified supplier base.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Sub-Saharan Africa experienced its second consecutive year of growth in the value of dried shelled broad and horse beans imports. In 2020, import value totaled 2.975 million US dollars, reflecting a sharp 38.9% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, import value decreased by 3.1%, with an average annual decline of 1.0%. The lowest import value was recorded in 2018 at 2.007 million US dollars, which also saw the largest annual decline of 34.6%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, no single market dominated dried shelled broad and horse beans imports into Sub-Saharan Africa. The United Arab Emirates accounted for 1.8% of import value, India for 1.4%, and Myanmar for 1.3%. Together, these three partners represented just 4.5% of total import value, with many smaller suppliers each holding modest individual shares.

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

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