Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormDried
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Dried kidney beans (Phaseolus vulgaris; commonly traded and consumed as red beans/frijol rojo) are a staple basic grain in El Salvador and are a focus of MAG/CENTA basic-grains support and varietal improvement programs. El Salvador is a net importer of dried kidney beans: in 2023, imports under HS 071333 totaled about USD 54.6 million (about 40.4 thousand metric tons), with Nicaragua the dominant supplier; exports were about USD 2.7 million. A key near-term trade factor is El Salvador’s temporary zero-tariff policy for selected basic food imports (including red beans), extended through 31 March 2026. Climate variability in the Dry Corridor (notably drought/heat stress and localized flooding impacts) is a major driver of domestic supply volatility and import reliance.
Market RoleNet importer with domestic production (import-dependent staple market)
Domestic RoleStaple food (basic grain) with policy-supported domestic production and seed programs
SeasonalitySupply is shaped by basic-grains production cycles and climate shocks; MAG programs also include irrigated/wetland plantings to stabilize availability.
Specification
Primary VarietyCENTA Chaparrastique (red common bean; Phaseolus vulgaris)
Secondary Variety- CENTA Costeño 2
- CENTA Sequía
- CENTA EAC
Physical Attributes- Clean, sound beans free from abnormal odors/flavors and live insects; defect/foreign-matter control aligned with Codex pulse quality concepts.
Compositional Metrics- Moisture management is a key quality parameter for storage stability; Codex CXS 171-1989 provides reference moisture/defect definitions for pulses.
Grades- Defect and foreign-matter tolerances commonly reference Codex Standard for Certain Pulses (CXS 171-1989) concepts in trade quality discussions.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Farm production (domestic) or import sourcing → cleaning/grading → bagging → customs clearance → wholesaling → retail/AgroMercados distribution
Temperature- Ambient dry storage with moisture control is critical to limit mold, quality deterioration, and insect activity in dried beans.
Shelf Life- Shelf-life risk increases with elevated moisture and pest infestation; quality preservation depends on dry, clean storage and packaging.
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeLand
Risks
Climate HighEl Salvador’s bean supply is highly exposed to Dry Corridor climate variability (notably drought/heat stress and localized flooding impacts), which can sharply reduce domestic availability and force larger, price-sensitive import requirements for a staple food.Diversify approved origins (regional and extra-regional), contract volumes ahead of peak deficit periods, and monitor CENTA/MAG technical alerts and FAO GIEWS market conditions for early warning.
Trade Policy MediumThe temporary zero-tariff regime for selected basic foods (including red beans) is time-bound (through 31 March 2026); changes or non-renewal can raise landed costs and disrupt procurement budgets.Validate tariff-line eligibility and monitor legislative updates; model post-expiry tariff scenarios in pricing and contracting.
Food Safety MediumNon-conformity risks include live insects/filth, excessive foreign matter, off-odors, and contaminant or pesticide-residue exceedances, which can trigger rejections or costly reconditioning.Require supplier COA/inspection against Codex pulse-quality concepts, implement pre-shipment sampling for moisture/defects/insects, and use pest-controlled dry storage through distribution.
Sustainability- Drought/heat stress resilience in the Dry Corridor drives varietal selection and production support priorities for beans.
- Climate adaptation investments (seed/technology and targeted irrigation) are material to stabilizing supply.
Labor & Social- Livelihood sensitivity for small producers: production shocks can affect incomes and food-security access for households reliant on basic grains.
FAQ
Is El Salvador a net importer of dried kidney beans?Yes. In 2023, El Salvador imported about USD 54.6 million of dried kidney beans (HS 071333) while exporting about USD 2.7 million, indicating the market relies on imports to meet demand.
Which countries are the main suppliers of dried kidney beans to El Salvador?In 2023, Nicaragua was the leading supplier by value and volume, followed by the United States and Ethiopia, with smaller volumes from Guatemala and Canada.
Are import tariffs on red beans currently reduced in El Salvador?FAO reports that El Salvador extended a temporary policy removing tariffs on imports of selected basic food items (including red beans) through 31 March 2026; whether a specific shipment qualifies depends on the legal product list and the declared tariff line.