Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormDried
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Dried red kidney beans in Italy are primarily supplied through imports, with Italy operating as a net importer in this product line. UN Comtrade data via WITS reports Italy imported about USD 186.0 million (134.5 million kg) of HS 071333 (dried kidney beans, incl. white pea beans) in 2023, versus exports of about USD 11.0 million (4.0 million kg). The main 2023 suppliers by value were the United States, Argentina, Canada and China, consistent with sea-container sourcing into the EU market. Italy also has regionally protected common-bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) production in specific areas (e.g., PGI “Fagiolo di Lamon della Vallata Bellunese” and PGI “Fagiolo di Sorana”), but specialty domestic origins do not remove import dependence for mainstream kidney-bean demand.
Market RoleNet importer (import-dependent consumer market for dried red kidney beans)
Domestic RoleRetail and foodservice staple pulse; domestic common-bean production is present in niche protected-origin areas, while red kidney beans for mainstream demand are largely import supplied
SeasonalityImports support year-round availability; domestic harvest for some protected-origin beans peaks in late summer (e.g., Lamon PGI harvest typically runs from mid-August to end-September).
Specification
Primary VarietyRed kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) — traded in the EU under HS/CN 0713.33 (kidney beans, including white pea beans)
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Overseas supplier (HS 071333) → sea freight into the EU → Italian importer/warehouse → cleaning/sorting/packing (as applicable) → retail & foodservice distribution
Freight IntensityMedium
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Food Safety HighNon-compliance with EU chemical safety requirements (notably pesticide-residue MRLs and regulated contaminants such as mycotoxins) can trigger border rejection, market withdrawal/recall and RASFF notification for imported dried beans, blocking or severely disrupting shipments into Italy.Implement a pre-shipment testing and documentation program aligned to EU MRL and contaminants rules; review recent RASFF notifications relevant to beans/pulses and tighten supplier approval for high-notification origins.
Regulatory Compliance MediumIncorrect CN/TARIC classification or mismatch between declared intended use (e.g., “for sowing” vs “other”) and shipment reality can cause delays, incorrect duty treatment and potential plant-health documentation issues at entry.Confirm the correct CN/TARIC line in TARIC before contracting; ensure contracts, labels and documentation reflect the intended use and commodity description consistently.
Logistics MediumBecause Italy sources large volumes of kidney beans via overseas sea freight, container-rate spikes, port congestion or route disruptions can raise landed costs and create supply gaps for import-dependent buyers.Diversify origin portfolio and maintain buffer inventory; use forward freight planning and multi-port routing options where feasible.
Labor Rights LowFor domestically sourced beans, labour exploitation risks in parts of Italian agriculture can create reputational and buyer-compliance exposure even when the product itself is low-risk.Require supplier adherence to lawful recruitment and labour standards; align audits with Italy’s anti-exploitation framework and credible third-party verification where appropriate.
Labor & Social- Italy has documented risks of unlawful recruitment and labour exploitation in parts of agriculture (“caporalato”); buyers sourcing domestically produced beans should apply labour due diligence and supplier auditing aligned to Italian/EU expectations.
FAQ
Is Italy mainly an importer or exporter of dried red kidney beans?Italy is mainly an importer for HS 071333 (dried kidney beans). In 2023, UN Comtrade data via WITS reports imports of about USD 186.0 million versus exports of about USD 11.0 million.
Who are Italy’s main overseas suppliers of dried kidney beans?In 2023, the main suppliers to Italy for HS 071333 by value were the United States, Argentina, Canada and China (UN Comtrade data via WITS).
What is the single most critical shipment-stopper risk for dried kidney beans entering Italy?Food-safety non-compliance—especially pesticide-residue MRL breaches or regulated contaminant issues—can lead to border rejection and RASFF notification in the EU, disrupting or blocking entry into Italy.