Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormDried
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Commodity GroupPulses (dry beans; Vigna spp.)
Scientific NameVigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek
PerishabilityLow (shelf-stable when adequately dried and protected from moisture and storage pests)
Growing Conditions- Warm-season pulse crop; FAO ECOCROP lists optimal temperature range around 21–36°C and absolute limits approximately 8–40°C.
- Typically rainfed in many Asian systems; excessive rainfall and high humidity at flowering can reduce yields (FAO ECOCROP notes).
- Soil conditions: well-drained soils are preferred; FAO ECOCROP lists a broad pH tolerance (approx. 4.3–8.3) with an optimal range around 5.5–6.2.
Main VarietiesGreen mung bean (Vigna radiata) — large-seeded shiny green types, Green mung bean (Vigna radiata) — small-seeded shiny green types, Green mung bean (Vigna radiata) — dull green types (often associated with processing end uses)
Consumption Forms- Cooked whole beans (boiled/steamed)
- Sprouted mung beans (fresh sprouts)
- Split/dehulled products (mung dal) and milled ingredients (flour/starch)
Grading Factors- Moisture content (targeting receival/contract standards; Australian guidance references ~12% receival standard for mung)
- Foreign material and unmillable material
- Defects (broken/split, insect damaged, stained/discolored, mold-affected)
- Seed size uniformity and color uniformity
Planting to HarvestFAO ECOCROP describes Vigna radiata as an annual crop with mature seeds harvested roughly 70–120 days after sowing (with flowering typically within 30–70 days).
Market
Standard-grade dried mung bean (Vigna radiata) is a globally traded pulse typically shipped as a shelf-stable, cleaned and graded dry bean, commonly classified under HS 0713.31 in trade statistics. Global production is concentrated in Asia—especially India and Myanmar—with additional significant production across China, Thailand, Pakistan, and Indonesia. UN Comtrade data (via WITS) indicates trade is highly concentrated, with Myanmar the leading exporter in 2023 and India and China the leading import markets by value. Market dynamics are strongly influenced by import demand and policy conditions in South and East Asia, plus quality compliance (moisture, admixture, residues) required by downstream food processors and sprouting/consumer markets.
Market GrowthNot Mentioned
Major Producing Countries- IndiaLargest producer; major cultivation area and output reported in FAOSTAT-linked literature.
- Myanmar [Burma]Major producer and export-oriented supplier in global trade.
- ChinaMajor producer and a large import market for dried mung/related Vigna beans.
- ThailandNoted among major producing countries in FAOSTAT-linked literature.
- PakistanNoted among major producing countries in FAOSTAT-linked literature.
- IndonesiaNoted among major producing countries in FAOSTAT-linked literature.
Major Exporting Countries- Myanmar [Burma]Top exporter by value in UN Comtrade/WITS for HS 071331 (dried beans, shelled) in 2023.
- ChinaAmong top exporters by value in UN Comtrade/WITS for HS 071331 in 2023.
- IndiaAmong top exporters by value in UN Comtrade/WITS for HS 071331 in 2023 (also a major importer).
- AustraliaAmong top exporters by value in UN Comtrade/WITS for HS 071331 in 2023; produces export-focused shiny green types.
- ThailandAmong top exporters by value in UN Comtrade/WITS for HS 071331 in 2023.
- EgyptAmong top exporters by value in UN Comtrade/WITS for HS 071331 in 2023.
Major Importing Countries- IndiaTop importer by value in UN Comtrade/WITS for HS 071331 in 2023.
- ChinaSecond-largest importer by value in UN Comtrade/WITS for HS 071331 in 2023.
- VietnamAmong top importers by value in UN Comtrade/WITS for HS 071331 in 2023.
- IndonesiaAmong top importers by value in UN Comtrade/WITS for HS 071331 in 2023.
- JapanAmong top importers by value in UN Comtrade/WITS for HS 071331 in 2023.
Specification
Physical Attributes- Uniform seed coat color (typically green) with minimal discoloration; color uniformity is a key buyer quality signal for mung beans.
- Low levels of splits/cracks and insect-damaged kernels; high defect levels reduce processing yield and sprouting performance.
Compositional Metrics- Moisture control is central to trading quality; Australian industry guidance references a receival moisture target near 12% for mung beans.
- Residue compliance is often managed against Codex Maximum Residue Limits (MRLs) for relevant pesticide/commodity combinations.
Grades- Commercial trade commonly differentiates 'standard grade' vs premium/processing/sprouting-oriented specifications using defect limits (e.g., broken, damaged, stained), foreign material limits, and moisture targets (contract-specific).
- Trading standards frameworks exist in some exporting origins (e.g., Australian Pulse Trading Standards) and are often adapted in export contracts to meet destination requirements.
Packaging- Bulk bagging in moisture-protective formats (e.g., lined bags or sealed packaging) is common to prevent re-wetting and quality degradation during ocean transit.
- Wood packaging material used in shipments (pallets/dunnage) may require ISPM 15 treatment and marking in many trade lanes.
ProcessingCommon downstream uses include dehulling/splitting (mung dal), milling into flour/starch-based ingredients, and sprouting for fresh sprouts; specifications may differ by end use.Storage pest susceptibility (e.g., bruchids) and mold risk rise if moisture is elevated, driving requirements for drying, cleaning, and sealed storage.
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Harvest -> field/yard drying -> threshing -> cleaning (screening/aspiration) -> grading by size/color -> bagging -> containerization -> import cleaning/re-grading (as needed) -> processors/packers/retail
Demand Drivers- Food processing demand for splitting/dehulling and ingredient use (flour/starch) in Asian cuisines and packaged foods.
- Sprouting and direct-consumption markets where uniformity and low defect rates are prioritized.
- Import demand concentration in South and East Asia (notably India and China) shapes global trade flows.
Temperature- Typically shipped and stored as an ambient, dry commodity; preventing moisture ingress/condensation is a primary quality-control objective.
- Moisture management to meet receival/contract standards reduces mold risk and storage-pest pressure.
Shelf Life- Shelf life is primarily determined by moisture control, storage hygiene, and pest management rather than refrigeration; elevated moisture and infestation can rapidly downgrade grade and usability.
Risks
Trade Concentration HighGlobal trade is highly concentrated, with UN Comtrade (via WITS) showing Myanmar as the leading exporter for HS 071331 in 2023 and India and China as the leading import markets by value. Disruptions in Myanmar export capacity, logistics, or market access—or abrupt demand/policy shifts in India/China—can quickly tighten availability and amplify price volatility across importing markets.Diversify origin sourcing across multiple exporters (e.g., Myanmar, Australia, China, Thailand) and structure contracts with quality and delivery contingencies; maintain multi-port logistics options and monitor policy signals in major importing markets.
Storage Pests MediumStored-product pests (notably bruchids) can infest dried mung beans during storage and transit, causing quality downgrades, weight loss, and rejection risk—especially when moisture control and sanitation are weak.Enforce drying and moisture targets at origin, apply validated storage pest management (monitoring, approved fumigation where permitted), and use sealed, moisture-protective packaging with clean storage and container hygiene.
Food Safety MediumInternational buyers and regulators may enforce limits for contaminants and pesticide residues; non-compliance can lead to rejection, recalls, or increased inspection frequency. Codex standards (e.g., CXS 193-1995 for contaminants and Codex MRL databases for residues) are widely referenced as international benchmarks.Implement lot-based testing for key residues/contaminants, validate supplier GAP and post-harvest practices, and align contracts to destination-specific regulatory limits (including Codex where applicable).
Regulatory Compliance LowNon-compliant wood packaging material (pallets/dunnage) can trigger border holds or rework requirements under ISPM 15 pathways, increasing delays and costs even when the commodity itself is compliant.Require ISPM 15-treated and correctly marked wood packaging where used; audit packaging suppliers and document compliance for shipments.
Sustainability- Post-harvest loss prevention (storage pests, moisture-related spoilage) is a major efficiency and waste-reduction lever for dried mung bean supply chains.
- Pesticide and fumigation practices can create compliance risk if residues exceed destination limits; Codex MRLs are a common international reference point.
Labor & Social- Smallholder income exposure to export-grade downgrades and price volatility in major producing regions.
- Traceability expectations may increase where buyers require clearer origin/lot segregation and residue testing documentation.
FAQ
Which countries are the largest import markets for dried mung beans in global trade data?In UN Comtrade data summarized by the World Bank’s WITS for HS 071331 (dried beans, shelled), the largest import markets by value in 2023 are India and China, followed by Viet Nam, Indonesia, and Japan.
Which country is the leading exporter in global trade statistics for this category?In UN Comtrade data summarized by WITS for HS 071331, Myanmar is the leading exporter by value in 2023, indicating a high concentration of export supply in that origin for this trade category.
What quality parameters commonly matter most for standard-grade dried mung beans?Buyers commonly focus on moisture control, low foreign material and defects (splits, insect damage, discoloration), and residue compliance. For example, Australian industry guidance references a receival moisture standard near 12% for mung beans, and many contracts manage pesticide residue expectations against Codex MRL references where applicable.