Market
Dried broad beans in Lebanon (commonly traded under HS 071350) function primarily as an import-supplied staple pulse for direct human consumption. In 2023, Lebanon imported about 7,319.9 tonnes valued at about USD 4.89 million, with Australia and the United Kingdom as the largest reported origins, followed by the Syrian Arab Republic and Egypt. Export flows exist but are much smaller than imports, indicating a net-importer market role. Market continuity is highly exposed to security disruptions and to trade finance/payment constraints that can delay import cycles and raise landed costs.
Market RoleNet importer (import-dependent consumer market)
Domestic RoleDirect-consumption pulse market supplied mainly by imports; limited domestic production relative to demand
Risks
Security HighEscalation of armed conflict, civil unrest, and border-area insecurity in Lebanon can disrupt port operations, inland trucking, and importer warehousing, leading to shipment delays, higher insurance costs, and potential force majeure in supply contracts.Use conservative lead times, diversify arrival windows and origins, confirm marine war-risk coverage and inland security routing with forwarders, and maintain contingency inventory for essential pulse SKUs.
Payment Risk HighLebanon’s banking and financial crisis (including capital control measures and constrained access to finance reported for the agricultural sector) can delay or prevent timely settlement to overseas suppliers and disrupt import cycles.Prefer secured payment terms (confirmed LC where feasible, partial prepayment + balance against documents), price/settle in agreed hard currency, and consider export credit insurance for counterparty and transfer risk.
Logistics MediumDried broad beans are freight-sensitive and often sea-shipped from distant origins (e.g., Australia, the United Kingdom as major reported suppliers in 2023), making landed costs and continuity vulnerable to freight and marine insurance volatility.Lock freight where possible, use multiple carriers/routes, and align contract terms to allocate extraordinary war-risk and demurrage exposure explicitly.
Food Safety MediumShipments with moisture levels, extraneous matter, or insect contamination outside buyer/Codex tolerance can trigger rejection, reconditioning (e.g., cleaning/fumigation), or reputational damage in a price-sensitive staple category.Require pre-shipment COA aligned to Codex CXS 171-1989 reference parameters (moisture, defects, extraneous matter) and implement supplier pest-control and sealed-sack handling SOPs.
Regulatory Compliance MediumLabel non-compliance (missing net weight, dates, ingredients, origin; incorrect language; prohibited Hebrew labels) can delay clearance or require relabeling at cost.Pre-approve label artwork against Trade.gov-stated Lebanon labeling elements and keep relabeling capability (stickers) staged with the importer for corrective action if needed.
Sustainability- Water availability constraints and drought exposure can increase yield variability for domestic field crops (including grain legumes) and raise storage/preservation demands for imported pulses.
- Climate-change-linked shifts in rainfall seasonality and dry-season water availability can tighten agricultural production conditions and raise dependence on imports.
FAQ
Is Lebanon a net importer of dried broad beans (HS 071350)?Yes. In 2023, WITS reports Lebanon imported about USD 4.89 million (about 7,319.9 tonnes) of HS 071350, while exports were about USD 0.20 million, indicating a net-import position.
Which origins supplied most of Lebanon’s dried broad bean imports in 2023?WITS reports that the largest suppliers to Lebanon for HS 071350 in 2023 were Australia and the United Kingdom, followed by the Syrian Arab Republic and Egypt.
What documents are commonly required to process imports into Lebanon?Trade.gov lists core documents for import processing including an SAD-based declaration form, bill of lading, packing list, original commercial invoice, delivery order, proof of payment, contract of sale, and certificate of origin as applicable; it also notes that additional documents may be required depending on the good type, including phytosanitary certificates.
What are the key Codex quality reference points for dried field/broad beans used in trade specifications?Codex CXS 171-1989 states pulses should be safe for consumption and free from abnormal flavour/odour and living insects; it provides moisture maxima for field beans (15% or 19% depending on storage/climate context) and limits extraneous matter to not more than 1% (with sub-limits for mineral matter and insect fragments).