Global Trade Opportunities in Beans for Suppliers
We all know that beans play a critical role in global agriculture and food security. Whether it's household staples (like kidney beans) or high-value crops (such as cocoa beans), the global demand for this commodity is vast and varied. And this offers a range of opportunities for suppliers and exporters in international markets, especially as more consumers switch to fiber-rich diets, plant-based proteins, and sustainable crop sources. People consume beans in different forms, including fresh, canned, frozen, dried, or ground forms. Also, they are used in a number of food products, such as soups, salads, snacks, etc. If you deal in the bean export business, it is important for you to connect with verified beans buyers and understand their specific needs and price expectations for successful trades.
What Types of Beans Are in High Demand in the International Trade Market?
Nutrition-rich beans vegetable remain in high demand across continents due to their health benefits, affordability, and culinary versatility. Each bean variety has its own regional demand. For example, kidney beans are more popular in Latin America, mung bean seeds and soy beans have a huge buyer base in Asia, and similarly, broad beans and butter beans are the most sought-after in Europe and Africa. The international market for beans is highly diversified, and here are the most-traded varieties:
- Kidney Beans: Often canned or dried, come in various colors & patterns
- Broad Beans (Fava Beans): Highly seasonal legume, popular for nutritional value
- Soybean: A staple, protein-rich oilseed crop with several uses
- Green Beans: Preferred in retail & food service sectors, often exported fresh or frozen
- Butter Beans (Lima beans): Creamy textured, flat beans used in processed foods
- Mung Bean Seeds: High in protein, largely used in Asian cuisines
- Bean Seeds: For cultivation or resale in agricultural supply chains
- Dried Beans: Have a long shelf life and are easy to export
- Black Beans: A popular bean type, mostly used in Mexican cuisine
- Sprouting Beans: Used in health foods & salads
- Chickpeas: Also called garbanzo beans, suitable for vegan diets
- Pinto Beans: Common in Northern Mexico & the Southwestern United States
- Lentils: Lens-shaped edible seeds or legumes
Other most in-demand specialty types:
- Cocoa Beans & Vanilla Beans: Mainly used in the confectionery & flavoring industries
- Coffee Beans: Most-traded commodity, popular in the food & beverage industry
Bulk Bean Trade: Key Considerations in Quality & Packaging
As an exporter or supplier, you should be aware of a few considerations while ensuring the quality of your bean commodity. Remember that both quality and packaging matter for a successful trade business. There are certain quality standards that beans importers or buyers look for. Staying updated with these standards can help attract more potential buyers. So, let's understand what these are.
Quality Considerations:
- Should be uniform with consistency in size, color, & shape
- Should be well-sorted & graded
- Should be free from defects, infestation, or any foreign matter
- Should be well-stored to prevent spoilage
- Should have standardized moisture content (below 14%)
Packaging Considerations:
- Prefer vacuum-sealed bean bags (especially for organic beans)
- Choose suitable materials for beans. Polypropylene bags work better for dry beans
- Should protect the beans from pests, damage, and moisture
- Should have proper labeling with key information (like product name, variety, net weight, batch code, shelf-life, & storage instructions)
- Use appropriate packaging size on the basis of buyer preferences
In addition, buyers of high-value niches like vanilla bean buyers, coffee beans buyers, and cocoa beans buyers often look for certifications for quality, ethical sourcing and sustainable farming practices.
Global Market Insights That Every Bean Exporter Should Know
Apart from understanding the quality standards you need to meet, it's important to have key market insights about beans to make well-informed decisions.
Market Sizes of Popular Bean Varieties:
| Bean Varieties | Market Size (Year) | Expected Market Size (Year) | CAGR | Source |
| Dry beans | USD 7,247 Million (2024) | USD 10,038.6 Million (2033) | 3.70% | IMARC |
| Mung beans | USD 4,491.4 Million (2024) | USD 5,826.1 Million (2033) | 2.79% | IMARC |
| Coffee beans | USD 34.6 Billion (2024) | USD 54.1 Billion (2033) | 5.10% | IMARC |
| Chickpeas | 21.5 Million Tons (2024) | 32.2 Million Tons (2033) | 4.57% | IMARC |
| Soy beans | USD 199.63 Billion (2024) | USD 258.12 Billion (2030) | 4.40% | Grand View Research |
| Cocoa beans | USD 14.53 Billion (2024) | USD 23.54 Billion (2030) | 8.40% | Grand View Research |
Top Beans Importing Countries (2024):
| Rank | Country | Shipments |
| 1 | United States | 553,335 |
| 2 | Singapore | 213,729 |
| 3 | India | 77,871 |
Source: Volza
HSN Codes of Most-Traded Bean Varieties:
| HSN Codes | Beans Varieties |
| 7133100 | Dried kidney beans, including white pea beans |
| 7135000 | Broad beans (Fava beans) and horse beans |
| 7132000 | Chickpeas |
| 7133920 | Butter beans |
| 7139090 | Sprouting beans |
| 7133100 | Mung bean seeds |
| 9011100 | Coffee beans |
| 18010000 | Cocoa beans |
| 9051000 | Vanilla beans |
| 7082000 | Green beans |
| 7134000 | Lentils |
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How to Find Verified Beans Importers and Buyers?
Whether you are looking for buyers of vanilla beans or bulk beans buyers near me, here are the most effective methods.
- Online B2B marketplaces can help you connect with verified bean buyers. Look for those platforms that can verify buyer profiles and offer direct inquiry options, making it easier for you to connect with real importers.
- Attend international trade shows and networking events like the World Agri-Tech Innovation Summit, Gulfood (Dubai), International Soy Conclave, Aahar, etc. These events can help you meet potential buyers in trust and build trust.
- You can even use Government Export Promotion Agencies that give you access to importers looking to buy beans in bulk.
- Also, you can connect with local and international chambers that often provide lists of accredited importers. Some of them even conduct buyer-seller meetups, which can be beneficial for your export business.
- Many serious buyers search online for reliable suppliers. You can make it easy for them to find you by having a strong online presence.
- No matter what method you choose to reach your potential beans buyers, make sure to verify their company registration, trade license, and past transaction history.
- Apart from knowing what quality standards you should keep up with, it is necessary to have the idea of key market insights for beans to make well-informed decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
1. What’s the current global export/import status of beans?
The global trade of beans remains strong due to ever-increasing demand. From November 2023 to October 2023, the world exported a total of 538,038 shipments of beans. This involved 43,273 exporters supplying beans to 57,512 buyers worldwide. Moreover, the trade in beans saw a 63% growth as compared to the past 12 months. This shows a strong upward trend in cross-border trade activity. (Source: Volza)
2. Who are the top exporters and importers?
Top Exporters:
- Malaysia (181,808 shipments)
- India (129,203 shipments)
- China (129,203 shipments)
Top Importers:
- United States (553,335 shipments)
- Singapore (213,729 shipments)
- India (77,871 shipments)
3. How do I start a bean export business?
Follow these steps to start your bean export business:
- Form your business entity
- Get all the required registrations & licenses (including Importer-Exporter Code)
- Do market research to identify your target market and specific product type or bean variety
- Find reliable buyers of your chosen beans
- Understand shipping & customs procedures
- Prepare necessary export documents (including bills of lading, commercial invoicers, and packing lists)
4. Is bean export profitable and growing?
Yes! It is especially profitable for high-demand variants, such as organic beans, mung beans, cocoa beans, and soybeans. Moreover, growing consumption of plant-based food offers more promising prospects.
5. How do I find reliable buyers?
Here are some proven ways to find reliable beans buyers:
- Get listed on trusted B2B platforms, like go4WorldBusiness
- Attend trade expos
- Use government trade resources
- Reach out to local & international chambers
- Leverage social media platforms like LinkedIn
6. Who is the top consumer of beans?
The USA and India are among the largest consumers of beans.
7. Who is the largest buyer of coffee beans?
The United States is the largest buyer of coffee beans worldwide.
8. Who is the largest importer of soybeans?
China is the largest importer of soybeans.
9. How much is 1 kg of coffee beans?
Based on quality and source, the coffee bean prices may range from $3 to $20+ per kg.
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