Classification
Product TypeIngredient
Product FormDried
Industry PositionSemi-processed pulse ingredient (dehulled/split legume)
Market
Dried split mung bean in Thailand is supplied by domestic mung bean production plus imports, then cleaned/dehulled/split and packed for food processors and retail. UN Comtrade (via WITS) shows Thailand imported USD 58.36M and exported USD 51.27M under HS 071331 in 2023, with Myanmar the top import origin and Indonesia the top export destination. NSTDA reports Thailand’s 2019 mung bean production (92,472 tons) below domestic demand (113,291 tons), supporting continued reliance on imports alongside cultivar-driven supply expansion.
Market RoleTwo-way trader with domestic supply gap; slight net importer by value in 2023 (HS 071331)
Domestic RoleIngredient and staple pulse used by domestic food manufacturing and retail channels; domestic cleaning/dehulling/splitting and broader mung-bean ingredient processing (e.g., starch/vermicelli) exists
SeasonalityMung bean is promoted/used as a post-rice crop in parts of Thailand; availability is influenced by local rice-cropping calendars and post-harvest handling capacity.
Specification
Physical Attributes- Dehulled split kernels with uniform color and size expected by processors and retail packers
- Low foreign matter and controlled broken percentage emphasized for packaged ingredient consistency
Compositional Metrics- Moisture control is critical for storage stability and to reduce mold/insect risk in tropical handling conditions
Grades- Food-grade packed pulses/ingredient lots vs. downgraded lots for non-premium uses (buyer specification-driven)
Packaging- Bulk sacks for wholesalers/industrial users and smaller consumer packs for retail channels
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Domestic or imported mung bean lots → cleaning (screening/destoning/magnet) → dehulling & splitting → sorting → bagging → wholesale/food processing or export dispatch
Temperature- Ambient shipping is typical, but storage must control heat and moisture to limit insect activity and quality degradation
Atmosphere Control- Ventilation and humidity control in warehouses are important to prevent condensation and mold risk
Shelf Life- Shelf life is mainly constrained by moisture uptake and storage-pest infestation rather than temperature abuse
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Sps and Import Permission HighEntry/clearance disruption risk if Thai FDA food-import licensing requirements (for food imported for sale) and any applicable plant-quarantine/phytosanitary controls are not met; non-compliance can trigger holds, treatment, or rejection/confiscation.Confirm Thai importer’s FDA import license coverage and product permission pathway early; align shipment docs (invoice/packing list/B/L) with e-Customs entry; verify whether plant quarantine conditions apply and obtain phytosanitary documentation and any required treatments pre-shipment.
Geopolitical Supply Concentration MediumSupply concentration risk because Myanmar is the leading HS 071331 origin for Thailand’s imports; political/security disruptions or border frictions can tighten availability and raise price volatility for processors and traders.Pre-qualify alternate origins and maintain multi-origin contracting; build buffer inventory for high-throughput processing periods; monitor border policy and logistics constraints.
Logistics MediumFreight and fuel cost volatility can compress margins for bulk pulse movements; disruptions affecting regional land corridors and sea freight can delay arrivals and raise landed costs.Use flexible Incoterms and freight hedging where feasible; diversify lanes (land/sea), and plan lead times to accommodate inspection and congestion risk.
Food Safety and Storage MediumMoisture uptake and storage pests can degrade quality and raise non-conformance risk (e.g., infestation findings at inspection or quality failures for food processors).Set moisture/specification limits in contracts; require pre-shipment inspection and (where appropriate) fumigation/treatment records; implement sealed packaging and humidity-controlled warehousing.
Sustainability- Pesticide-residue compliance and good agricultural practice expectations for pulses entering formal retail and export-oriented supply chains
- Post-harvest loss reduction (moisture management, pest control) in tropical storage
Labor & Social- Migrant and seasonal labor compliance risks in agriculture and primary processing (contracts, wage compliance, worker documentation)
- Worker safety in cleaning/dehulling operations (dust control and machinery guarding)
Standards- GMP (documentation of manufacturing-system standards is referenced by Thai FDA for food importation processes)
- HACCP
- ISO 22000 / FSSC 22000 (often used by export-facing food ingredient manufacturers)
FAQ
Which licenses and documents are commonly needed to import dried split mung bean for sale in Thailand?Thai FDA states that importing food for sale requires an FDA import license under the Food Act B.E. 2522. For customs clearance, import entry is filed in e-Customs with core documents such as commercial invoice, packing list, and bill of lading, and restricted-goods permits if applicable. Where plant quarantine controls apply to the consignment, phytosanitary documentation and inspection may be required.
Is Thailand mainly an importer or exporter of mung beans under HS 071331?In 2023, UN Comtrade data (via WITS) shows Thailand imported about USD 58.36 million and exported about USD 51.27 million of HS 071331, making it a two-way trader and slightly net importer by value that year. Myanmar was the largest import origin and Indonesia the largest export destination.
When is Halal certification relevant for dried split mung bean in Thailand?Halal is not universally required for all channels, but it becomes relevant when the ingredient is used in halal-labeled foods or sold into Muslim consumer/export channels. In Thailand, CICOT is an issuing body for halal product certification and provides halal product verification services.