Market evolution: Mung beans and black gram (CN 071331) — 2015–2025
Introduction
This report analyzes the evolution of the European Union's trade in dried, shelled mung beans and black gram (CN code 071331) from January 2015 to December 2025. The EU remains a net importer of these legumes, a key product in Asian cuisines and increasingly in plant-based food sectors globally. The period has been characterized by significant growth in EU export activity, substantial shifts in sourcing and destination countries, and notable market volatility. The analysis draws exclusively on the provided trade data to describe these dynamics and their potential drivers.
I. Robust Growth in EU Export Volumes and Values, Narrowing the Trade Deficit
The most striking feature of the 2015-2025 period is the dramatic expansion of the EU's role as an exporter of CN 071331 products. While the EU's imports also grew, the pace of export growth was far more rapid, leading to a significant improvement in the trade balance.
A. Exports Surged in Value and Volume, Outpacing Import Growth
Between the first and last year of the data window, the value of EU exports grew by 484.5%, from €1.01 million to €5.92 million. Export volumes increased by 189.9%, rising from 1,271 tonnes to 3,685 tonnes. In contrast, import values grew by a more modest 10.1% (from €20.54 million to €22.62 million), and import volumes by 27.1%. This differential growth is the primary reason the EU's trade deficit in this product shrank by 14.5% over the period, moving from -€19.5 million to -€16.7 million.
| Flow | Metric | First Period (2015) | Last Period (2025) | Percentage Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exports | Value (EUR) | 1,012,158 | 5,915,949 | +484.5% |
| Quantity (tonnes) | 1,271 | 3,685 | +189.9% | |
| Imports | Value (EUR) | 20,542,015 | 22,623,313 | +10.1% |
| Quantity (tonnes) | 13,435 | 17,072 | +27.1% | |
| Balance | Value (EUR) | -19,529,856 | -16,707,365 | +14.5% |
Data source: General Overview
B. Unit Values Diverge: Export Prices Rose Strongly, Import Prices Fell
The growth in export value was driven by both higher volumes and significantly higher prices. The average EU export price increased by 101.6% over the period, reaching €1,606 per tonne in 2025. Conversely, the average import price fell by 13.3%, settling at €1,325 per tonne. This divergence suggests the EU may have shifted towards exporting higher-value or more processed products within this commodity code, while sourcing lower-cost bulk material.
II. Dramatic Reconfiguration of Trade Partners and Internal EU Dynamics
The period witnessed a complete reshaping of the EU's key trading partners for CN 071331, coupled with a major consolidation of intra-EU trade flows.
A. Sourcing Shifts: The Decline of China and Rise of India and Myanmar
Among import sources, the most significant change was the sharp decline in imports from China (down 61.4% in value) and the meteoric rise of India (up 3,792%). By 2025, India had become the sixth-largest supplier by value. Myanmar solidified its position as the top supplier, with its import value increasing by 17.9%. The United Arab Emirates also showed high growth (318%), likely acting as an entrepôt for beans from Asian producers.
B. Export Destinations: The United States Emerges as the Dominant Market
The landscape of EU exports transformed completely. The United States became the overwhelmingly dominant destination, with export values soaring from €11,751 to €3.7 million—a staggering increase of over 31,000%. The United Kingdom remained a stable and significant market, growing by 21.6%. New or minor markets like Serbia and Norway also saw explosive percentage growth from low bases, indicating a broadening of the EU's export footprint.
| Partner Type | Top Partner (2025) | Value in 2025 (EUR) | % Change (First to Last) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Import Source | Myanmar | 9,123,769 | +17.9% |
| China | 3,140,584 | -61.4% | |
| India | 2,816,561 | +3,792% | |
| Export Destination | United States | 3,700,138 | +31,388% |
| United Kingdom | 685,329 | +21.6% |
Data source: Top partners by value
C. Internal EU Specialization and Concentration
Within the EU, trade is highly concentrated. In 2025, the Netherlands was by far the largest importer (€10.1 million) and a major re-exporter. Belgium became the largest exporter (€3.7 million), showing a 3,545% increase from 2015, suggesting it developed a major role in processing or re-exporting. The market structure analysis shows that smaller Member States like Estonia and Lithuania exhibit high revealed comparative advantage in this product niche, though their absolute market shares are small.
III. Market Volatility and Pronounced Price Shocks in Key Trade Flows
The trade in CN 071331 has been subject to significant volatility, with certain bilateral relationships experiencing extreme price shocks.
A. High Price Volatility in EU Export Relationships
EU export prices were highly volatile, particularly to key partners. The coefficient of variation (CV) for export unit values was extremely high for the United States (2.14) and the United Kingdom (1.61). This indicates that the unit prices paid for EU beans in these markets fluctuated widely year-on-year, far more than in relatively stable import relationships with major suppliers like Myanmar (CV 0.28) and Argentina (CV 0.32).
B. Significant Price Shocks Linked to the UK and Thai Supply
The data identifies three major shock events:
- UK Export Price Shock (2018): A massive 348.6% year-on-year shift in export price to the United Kingdom, with a high abnormality score of 44.1. This event was significant, representing 42.1% of the UK export value share that year. This could be linked to exchange rate movements (post-Brexit referendum) or specific contract shifts.
- Thailand Import Price Shock (2022): A 29.0% price shift for imports from Thailand, coinciding with the global period of high agricultural commodity inflation and supply chain disruptions.
- Tanzania Import Price Shock (2020): A 67.2% price swing for imports from Tanzania, though from a smaller base value.
Conclusion
Over the 2015-2025 decade, the EU's market for mung beans and black gram (CN 071331) underwent a fundamental transformation. The bloc evolved from a predominantly passive consumer into a much more active and price-competitive exporter, with export values growing nearly five-fold. This growth was powered almost entirely by the US market and accompanied by a strategic shift in sourcing away from China and towards India and other Asian origins. The intra-EU market also reorganized, with Belgium and the Netherlands emerging as dominant trade hubs.
Despite this overall growth, the market remains characterized by high volatility, particularly in export unit values, and has been prone to significant price shocks. These factors suggest that while the EU has successfully expanded its footprint in this global niche market, its trade position is still susceptible to both macroeconomic fluctuations and bilateral trade dynamics. Future stability will depend on the continued development of diverse sourcing partnerships and managing price risks in key export markets.