Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormDried
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Dried whole lima bean (Phaseolus lunatus), known in Mexico by names such as ib/ibes and comba, is a niche pulse crop within Mexico’s broader bean culture. Traditional cultivation and use are documented in the Yucatán Peninsula (ib) and parts of Guerrero (comba). For trade into Mexico, SENASICA establishes and updates phytosanitary import requirements through its import requirements module, and import clearance can involve compliance checks and phytosanitary certification at the point of entry. For quality benchmarks in commercial trade, Codex CXS 171-1989 provides reference limits for moisture, extraneous matter, and defects for pulses intended for direct human consumption.
Market RoleDomestic consumer market with niche regional production; regulated importer/exporter under SENASICA phytosanitary controls
Domestic RoleTraditional/culinary pulse in selected regions (e.g., ib/comba local use) with broader dried-bean retail presence
Specification
Primary VarietyIb / frijol ancho (Phaseolus lunatus)
Physical Attributes- Should be free from abnormal flavor/odour and living insects (Codex CXS 171-1989).
- Extraneous matter reference limit: ≤1% total, with sub-limits for mineral matter and insect fragments/impurities of animal origin (Codex CXS 171-1989).
- Defect reference limits (visual): serious defects max 1.0%; slight defects max 7.0% (broken pulses within slight defects max 3.0%) (Codex CXS 171-1989).
Compositional Metrics- Moisture reference limits for beans: 15% (tropical/long-term storage) or 19% (moderate/short-term storage), depending on destination/storage practice (Codex CXS 171-1989).
Packaging- For sacks: clean, sturdy, and strongly sewn or sealed (Codex CXS 171-1989).
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Harvest → drying/curing → cleaning/sorting → bagging (often sacks) → wholesaler/aggregator distribution → retail/foodservice
Temperature- Ambient dry storage; manage moisture to stay within buyer/standard limits to reduce spoilage and insect risk (Codex CXS 171-1989 reference).
Atmosphere Control- Warehouse ventilation and humidity control are central; pest management is a key storage practice for dried pulses.
Shelf Life- Long shelf-life when kept dry and protected from living insects; quality degrades quickly if moisture control or pest control fails.
Freight IntensityHigh
Transport ModeMultimodal
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighNon-compliance with SENASICA’s product- and origin-specific phytosanitary import requirements in the MCRFI, or inability to complete required inspection/certification steps at entry, can delay or block customs clearance for regulated plant-origin shipments.Pre-check MCRFI requirements for the exact commodity/use/origin combination; align the importer’s SENASICA/OISA workflow and documentation before shipping.
Storage Pests MediumDried pulses are expected to be free from living insects under Codex quality factors; detection of live storage insects can trigger reconditioning (e.g., cleaning/treatment), buyer claims, or entry delays.Control moisture, use clean sealed packaging, and implement monitored storage pest management before dispatch.
Food Safety MediumMoisture and extraneous matter are controlled quality factors for pulses under Codex; out-of-spec lots raise spoilage risk and can fail buyer/importer acceptance checks.Specify moisture targets by destination/storage duration; clean/sort to reduce extraneous matter; keep inspection records and COAs aligned to buyer specs.
Logistics MediumBecause dried beans are relatively freight-intensive, changes in freight rates, border dwell times, and inland trucking availability can materially change landed cost and delivery reliability for Mexico-bound or Mexico-origin shipments.Use forward bookings and buffer lead times; contract warehousing near major consumption corridors; validate contingency carriers/routes during peak congestion.
Sustainability- Agrobiodiversity sensitivity: Mexico is presented by CONABIO/UNAM-facing resources as a center of origin/diversity for Phaseolus crops, implying heightened reputational and stewardship expectations for seed sourcing and biodiversity impacts.
FAQ
What are the key phytosanitary steps to import dried lima beans into Mexico?Mexico’s SENASICA publishes phytosanitary import requirements in its Import Phytosanitary Requirements Module (MCRFI). Importers should confirm the exact requirements for the commodity, intended use, and origin before shipping, and be prepared for documentary review/inspection at entry so SENASICA can issue the phytosanitary import certification when applicable requirements are met.
What moisture levels are commonly referenced for dried beans used for direct human consumption?Codex CXS 171-1989 provides reference maximum moisture levels for beans of 15% for tropical climates or long-term storage practices and 19% for more moderate climates or short-term storage, with the appropriate limit depending on destination and storage/transport conditions.
What does “ib” refer to in Mexico in relation to lima beans?CONABIO describes “ib/ibes” as a local name for Phaseolus lunatus (lima bean) in Mexico, and UNAM-facing educational material also notes the species as “frijol lima” (including ib in the Yucatán Peninsula and “combas” in Guerrero).