Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormDried (Shelled, Split/Dehulled)
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Commodity GroupPulses (grain legumes)
Scientific NameVigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek
PerishabilityLow (durable dried pulse), but quality is sensitive to moisture uptake and storage pest infestation.
Growing Conditions- Short-duration warm-season legume with relatively low water requirement compared with many staples
- Commonly integrated into rice- and cereal-based rotations in South and Southeast Asia
Main VarietiesGreen-seeded mungbean types used for whole-bean trade, Dehulled/split forms (yellow split mung) produced from whole mungbean
Consumption Forms- Cooked as split pulse (dal-type preparations)
- Milled into flour or used as an ingredient in processed foods
- Used as a pulse ingredient in regional cuisines (whole or split, depending on market)
Grading Factors- Moisture and dryness for safe storage
- Foreign matter and cleanliness
- Insect damage/live infestation status
- Uniformity of split, low breakage, and color consistency for dehulled/split product
Planting to HarvestMature dry seed harvest commonly occurs about 70–120 days after sowing (variety- and environment-dependent).
Market
Dried split mung bean is a globally traded pulse product commonly classified within HS 0713.31 (dried leguminous vegetables, shelled, whether or not skinned or split) for Vigna radiata. Production and consumption are centered in South and Southeast Asia, while international trade flows are strongly shaped by supply from exporting origins (notably Myanmar and Australia) into large demand markets in Asia. UN Comtrade data show Myanmar as the leading exporter by value for HS 071331 in 2023, with India and China the two largest import markets by value. Market dynamics are highly sensitive to seasonal weather and yield variability in monsoon-influenced cropping systems, as well as quality outcomes from drying, dehulling/splitting, and storage pest management.
Major Producing Countries- 인도Major cultivation and consumption market for mungbean (Vigna radiata) across multiple cropping seasons.
- 미얀마 [버마]Major mungbean-producing country and export-oriented supplier; reported as a main crop supporting large numbers of smallholders.
- 중국Major Asian producer and importer; demand includes household consumption and processing uses.
- 태국Regional producer and active participant in trade for HS 071331.
- 파키스탄Important South Asian mungbean producer within the crop’s core growing geography.
- 방글라데시Producer within South Asia; mungbean used in rice-based rotations and drought-adaptation contexts.
- 인도네시아Producer and significant import market within HS 071331 trade flows.
- 베트남Regional producer and a major import market in HS 071331 trade statistics.
- 호주Producer and exporter supplying food-grade mungbeans into Asian markets; harvest occurs in the Southern Hemisphere autumn.
Major Exporting Countries- 미얀마 [버마]Top exporter by value for HS 071331 in 2023 (UN Comtrade via WITS).
- 우즈베키스탄Among the top exporters by value for HS 071331 in 2023 (UN Comtrade via WITS).
- 중국Among the top exporters by value for HS 071331 in 2023 (UN Comtrade via WITS).
- 인도Among the top exporters by value for HS 071331 in 2023 (UN Comtrade via WITS).
- 이집트Among the top exporters by value for HS 071331 in 2023 (UN Comtrade via WITS).
- 호주Among the top exporters by value for HS 071331 in 2023 (UN Comtrade via WITS).
- 태국Among the top exporters by value for HS 071331 in 2023 (UN Comtrade via WITS).
Major Importing Countries- 인도Top importer by value for HS 071331 in 2023 (UN Comtrade via WITS).
- 중국Second-largest importer by value for HS 071331 in 2023 (UN Comtrade via WITS).
- 베트남Among the top importers by value for HS 071331 in 2023 (UN Comtrade via WITS).
- 인도네시아Among the top importers by value for HS 071331 in 2023 (UN Comtrade via WITS).
- 일본Among the top importers by value for HS 071331 in 2023 (UN Comtrade via WITS).
- 미국Significant import market for HS 071331 in 2023 (UN Comtrade via WITS).
Supply Calendar- Myanmar:Feb, MarExample regional pattern: winter mungbean planted around October after monsoon paddy harvest, with harvesting/threshing reported from late February in parts of Bago Region.
- Australia:Mar, Apr, MaySouthern Hemisphere autumn harvest window reported for Australian mungbeans.
Specification
Major VarietiesVigna radiata (mung bean / green gram) — whole, Split mung bean with seed coat (green split), Split mung bean without seed coat (dehulled yellow split)
Physical Attributes- Uniform split halves (cotyledons) with low breakage are preferred for cooking quality and appearance.
- Cleanliness (low foreign matter) and absence of live insects are key trade quality requirements for durable pulses.
Compositional Metrics- Protein content is commonly cited in the ~20–24% range for mungbean in agronomic and nutrition literature (varies by variety and conditions).
- Moisture management is a core commercial parameter for safe storage and reducing mold/insect risk.
Grades- Food-grade specifications typically include limits on foreign matter, insect damage, broken/split percentage, and discoloration; grading conventions vary by origin and buyer contract.
- Australia commonly references Australian Mungbean Association (AMA) standards for mungbeans in export trade.
Packaging- Bulk shipments commonly use woven polypropylene (PP) bags with liners and/or bulk bags, packed into containers with moisture protection.
- Retail packs are commonly supplied from destination packers or origin processors depending on the trade route.
ProcessingDehulling and splitting convert whole green mung beans into yellow split cotyledons; processing quality depends on seed hardness, uniformity, and breakage during milling.Storage pest damage (bruchids) can reduce split yield, increase breakage, and lower food/sprouting quality.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Harvest -> field drying -> threshing -> cleaning/sorting -> dehulling & splitting -> polishing (optional) -> bagging -> storage/pest management -> containerized export -> destination distribution/retail/foodservice
Demand Drivers- Household staple demand in South Asia for dal-type pulse preparations and convenience cooking formats.
- East and Southeast Asian demand linked to pulse-based processing and ingredient uses alongside direct consumption.
- Plant-based protein interest supports broader pulse utilization, with quality and safety specifications increasingly emphasized in trade.
Temperature- Ambient logistics are typical, but maintaining low humidity and avoiding heat buildup are important to limit insect development and quality deterioration during storage and transit.
- Moisture ingress during storage/shipping is a major quality loss pathway for dried pulses and must be managed through packaging and container practices.
Atmosphere Control- Hermetic storage technologies (e.g., sealed multilayer bags) and controlled fumigation programs are used to prevent bruchid-driven losses in stored mungbeans.
Shelf Life- Shelf life is generally long under dry, insect-free storage conditions, but can shorten materially with bruchid infestation, moisture uptake, and off-odors/taint from poor storage practices.
Risks
Climate HighProduction is concentrated in monsoon-influenced South and Southeast Asia, where rainfall timing, drought, and heat events can sharply shift yields and trigger export availability changes and price volatility in deficit years.Diversify origin sourcing across regions with different seasonal patterns (e.g., Southern Hemisphere supply), and use forward cover plus inventory buffers for critical demand windows.
Supply Concentration HighTrade statistics show strong dependence on a limited set of exporting countries for HS 071331, with Myanmar the top exporter by value in 2023; disruptions in a dominant origin can quickly tighten global availability for major importers.Qualify secondary origins and specifications (including acceptable split/dehulled forms), and maintain multi-origin supplier relationships.
Storage Pests MediumMungbeans are highly susceptible to bruchid (Callosobruchus spp.) infestation that can begin pre-harvest and expand during storage, causing weight loss, contamination, and downgraded quality for food and processing uses.Implement integrated storage protection: rapid drying, sanitation, insect monitoring, hermetic storage where feasible, and compliant fumigation programs.
Food Safety MediumQuality and safety risks include contamination from insect fragments/filth in heavily infested lots and chemical compliance risks linked to fumigation and pesticide residue requirements that vary by importing market.Use supplier QA programs with documented pest-control treatments, residue testing aligned to destination requirements, and acceptance specs for defects/foreign matter.
Sustainability- Post-harvest loss reduction (storage pests and moisture damage) is a major sustainability lever for pulses, affecting both food availability and farmer incomes.
- Soil health benefits from legume nitrogen fixation and role in cereal-based rotations are recognized in agronomic literature for mungbean.
- Water and drought resilience are relevant where mungbean is promoted as an option under limited moisture conditions in rice-based systems.
Labor & Social- Smallholder livelihood dependence is significant in key exporting origins (e.g., Myanmar), increasing sensitivity to price shocks and market access disruptions.
- Informal or fragmented aggregation can elevate traceability challenges for buyers seeking verified quality, pesticide compliance, and labor standards.
FAQ
Which HS code commonly covers dried mung beans that are shelled and may be split?At the HS 6-digit level, dried beans of the species Vigna radiata (mung bean) that are shelled and may be split are commonly classified under HS 0713.31 (as defined by the World Customs Organization).
Which countries are the leading exporters and importers for HS 071331 based on recent UN Comtrade data?UN Comtrade data accessed via the World Bank WITS tool (2023) lists Myanmar as the top exporter by value for HS 071331, followed by exporters such as Uzbekistan and China. The top importers by value in 2023 are India and China, followed by Vietnam, Indonesia, and Japan.
Why are storage pests a major trade risk for mung beans and split mung products?FAO post-harvest guidance and stored-product research note that bruchids (Callosobruchus spp.) can infest grain legumes including green gram/mung beans, with infestations often starting in the field and escalating in storage. This can lead to physical loss, contamination, and quality downgrades that affect export acceptance and milling yield for split products.