Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormDried
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Commodity GroupPulses (Dry Beans)
Scientific NamePhaseolus vulgaris
PerishabilityLow
Growing Conditions- Warm-season annual legume; sensitive to frost
- Requires well-drained soils; waterlogging increases disease risk
- Yield and seed quality are sensitive to heat and moisture stress during flowering and pod fill
Main VarietiesKidney beans (white and red types), Cannellini / white kidney beans
Consumption Forms- Cooked as whole beans (soups, stews, salads)
- Processed into canned beans
- Used as an ingredient in prepared foods that require consistent hydration/cook performance
Grading Factors- Moisture content
- Foreign matter and stones (cleanliness/destoning)
- Insect damage and live insect presence
- Broken/split beans and chipped seed coats
- Color and size uniformity
Planting to HarvestShort-season annual crop harvested within the same growing season; timing varies by variety and local climate.
Market
White kidney beans (cannellini-type common beans) are traded globally as dried pulses, typically captured within HS 071333 (kidney beans including white pea beans) under HS 0713. Production of dry beans (Phaseolus spp.) is widely distributed across Asia, the Americas, and Africa, with FAOSTAT reporting large national outputs in countries such as India, Brazil, Myanmar, China, Mexico, and the United States. UN Comtrade-derived WITS data for HS 071333 shows exports led by the United States, Egypt, Brazil, Argentina, and Canada, while Mexico, Italy, India, Turkey, and the United Kingdom are among the largest import markets. Because the product is storable when properly dried, trade is less seasonally constrained than fresh produce, but quality segregation (size/color uniformity, defect limits, and cleanliness) drives price differentials and border acceptance.
Major Producing Countries- 인도Among the largest producers in FAOSTAT’s 'Beans, dry' category (all dry bean classes; not specific to white kidney beans).
- 브라질Large producer in FAOSTAT’s 'Beans, dry' category; also a major exporter within HS 071333 trade flows.
- 미얀마 [버마]Significant producer in FAOSTAT’s 'Beans, dry' category (broad dry bean production base).
- 중국Major producer in FAOSTAT’s 'Beans, dry' category; also an exporting origin within HS 071333 trade flows.
- 멕시코Notable producer in FAOSTAT’s 'Beans, dry' category; also a major import market for HS 071333.
- 미국Major producer of dry beans and a leading exporter in HS 071333 trade flows (UN Comtrade/WITS).
- 탄자니아Important producer within FAOSTAT’s 'Beans, dry' category, reflecting a substantial East African dry bean base.
- 케냐Important producer within FAOSTAT’s 'Beans, dry' category, reflecting a substantial East African dry bean base.
Major Exporting Countries- 미국Leading exporter in UN Comtrade-derived WITS rankings for HS 071333.
- 이집트Top-tier exporter in UN Comtrade-derived WITS rankings for HS 071333.
- 브라질Top-tier exporter in UN Comtrade-derived WITS rankings for HS 071333.
- 아르헨티나Top-tier exporter in UN Comtrade-derived WITS rankings for HS 071333.
- 캐나다Top-tier exporter in UN Comtrade-derived WITS rankings for HS 071333.
- 중국Material exporter in UN Comtrade-derived WITS rankings for HS 071333.
- 니카라과Material exporter in UN Comtrade-derived WITS rankings for HS 071333.
- 터키Material exporter in UN Comtrade-derived WITS rankings for HS 071333.
Major Importing Countries- 멕시코Largest import market by trade value share in 2023 HS 071333 trade summaries (UN Comtrade-derived).
- 이탈리아Major import market for HS 071333; also a key downstream destination for white kidney/cannellini-type beans in food use.
- 인도Major import market for HS 071333 in 2023 trade summaries (UN Comtrade-derived).
- 터키Major import market for HS 071333 in 2023 trade summaries (UN Comtrade-derived).
- 영국Major import market for HS 071333 in 2023 trade summaries (UN Comtrade-derived).
Specification
Major VarietiesCannellini (white kidney bean), White pea bean (trade term used within HS classification context), Large white kidney bean types
Physical Attributes- White to off-white, kidney-shaped seeds; premium lots emphasize uniform size and color
- Whole-bean integrity (low splits/breakage) is valued for retail packs and canning
Compositional Metrics- Moisture content and defect tolerances are core commercial specification dimensions in dry bean trade
- Hydration and cookability characteristics matter for canning and prepared-food processors (soak uptake, split rate after cooking)
Grades- Codex 'Standard for Certain Pulses' (CXS 171-1989) is commonly referenced for baseline quality, hygiene, packaging, and labeling expectations for Phaseolus beans intended for direct human consumption
Packaging- Bulk export formats commonly include woven polypropylene (PP) bags (often 25–50 kg) with liner as needed for moisture control
- Retail formats include small consumer bags and private-label packs; re-bagging at destination is common
ProcessingProcessing-grade lots prioritize consistent hydration and low defect counts to reduce sorting losses and improve canning yield
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Harvest (pods mature/dry) -> threshing -> cleaning (screens, gravity separation, destoning) -> drying to safe storage moisture -> grading/sorting -> bagging -> containerized ocean freight -> destination cleaning/repacking and/or canning -> wholesale/retail
Demand Drivers- Staple pulse consumption and food security demand in import-dependent markets
- Canned-bean and ready-meal processing demand (consistent size and cook behavior valued)
- Retail demand for shelf-stable plant-protein foods across mainstream and ethnic cuisines (e.g., Mediterranean and Latin American applications)
Temperature- Ambient logistics are typical; quality preservation depends on dry, cool storage and protection from humidity/condensation rather than refrigeration
- Moisture ingress during storage or transit can drive mold risk, off-odors, and accelerated quality deterioration
Shelf Life- Long shelf life is achievable when stored dry and protected from insects; humidity and pest pressure are primary shelf-life limiters
Risks
Climate HighDrought and heat stress in major dry-bean producing regions can sharply reduce harvest volumes and tighten export availability for kidney-bean classes, rapidly transmitting into price volatility and procurement gaps for import-dependent buyers.Diversify sourcing across multiple origins (Americas, Africa, Asia), use forward coverage where feasible, and maintain buffer stocks for critical programs or high-rotation SKUs.
Quality Degradation MediumStorage pests (e.g., bruchid beetles) and moisture exposure can cause insect damage, mold, and higher defect/foreign-matter levels, increasing the risk of downgrades or border rejections.Tighten moisture management, apply robust cleaning/destoning and lot segregation, and use compliant pest-management approaches (IPM, hermetic storage, or permitted fumigation) aligned to destination requirements.
Regulatory Compliance MediumShipments can face delays or rejections due to phytosanitary non-compliance (live insects), residue exceedances versus destination MRLs, or documentation gaps (origin, lot traceability).Implement pre-shipment inspection/testing plans, maintain traceability and certificates, and align pest-control and residue-management practices to target-market rules.
Market Volatility MediumPulse markets can be volatile due to substitution across bean classes and policy shifts (tariffs, import rules, or food-security interventions) in major importing countries, impacting prices and trade flows.Monitor policy signals in key markets, qualify substitute origins/specs in advance, and keep contractual flexibility on grade and bean class where product formulations allow.
Sustainability- Climate and water risk: drought and heat stress in major dry-bean regions can reduce yields and increase irrigation pressure where irrigated
- Nitrogen fixation and crop-rotation benefits: legumes can reduce synthetic nitrogen needs in rotations, but outcomes depend on local agronomy and residue management
- Post-harvest loss and pest control: storage pest management (including fumigation where used) creates environmental and compliance trade-offs
Labor & Social- Smallholder exposure: in several producing regions, dry beans are widely grown by smallholders, making farmgate incomes sensitive to weather shocks and price swings
- Worker health and safety: pesticide and fumigant handling (field and storage) can pose occupational risks without adequate controls and training
FAQ
What HS code is commonly used to track global trade in dried kidney beans (including white kidney/white pea bean classes)?A common HS 6-digit code used in global trade statistics is HS 071333 (dried kidney beans, including white pea beans). This code sits within HS 0713 for dried leguminous vegetables and is used in UN Comtrade-derived tools such as WITS.
Which countries are leading exporters of kidney beans (HS 071333) in recent UN Comtrade-derived rankings?Recent UN Comtrade-derived WITS rankings for HS 071333 show the United States, Egypt, Brazil, Argentina, and Canada among the leading exporters.
Is there an international quality and labeling reference standard for dry pulses such as Phaseolus beans?Yes. Codex Alimentarius publishes the 'Standard for Certain Pulses' (CXS 171-1989), which covers beans of Phaseolus spp. intended for direct human consumption and includes baseline expectations for quality factors, hygiene, packaging, and labeling.