1 Not reported
Global production and trade
The world production of dry beans was 28.9 million metric tons (MT) in 2019, which represented an increase of 64.74% as compared to 17.5 million MT in 1990 (Figure 1.3). From 2010 to 2019, dry bean production increased by 4.3 million MT, or 17.33%, whereas in the preceding 20‐year period (1990–2009), global production increased only by 4.5 million MT (17.33%). Note: The percentages shown are slightly off in this section since these were not calculated from the rounded off data (to one decimal point) reported here. Regionally, Asia accounted for 49.72% of global production, followed by Africa and Americas (North, Central and South), with 24.40% and 24.36% share, respectively. The total area under dry beans cultivation was 33.1 million hectares in 2019, which represented an increase of 25% compared to 1990’s 26.5 million hectare. These figures illustrate that most of the production increases during nearly three decades were achieved through genetic improvements and applying good agricultural practices (GAPs) rather than through increases in area under cultivation.
The total world production of pulses (chickpeas, lentils, lupins, pigeon peas, vetches, and other minor pulses) in 2019 was 30.7 million MT, which represented an increase of 66.42% compared to 18.4 million MT in 1990 (Figure 1.3). Chickpeas (14.3 million MT) and lentils (5.7 million MT) accounted for 65% of the total pulses production. From 1990 to 2009, pulses production increased by 4.5 million MT, whereas a 7.9 million MT increase was reported in just a 10‐year period from 2010 to 2019. With respect to regional distribution, Asia led the global production with 65.60% share, followed by Americas (11.72%), and Africa (11.00%).
The total area under pulses cultivation was 31.4 million hectares in 2019, which showed an increase of 6.3 million hectares or 25.20% since 1990. However, area under cultivation decreased significantly from the preceding year (2018), which was an all‐time high of 38.1 million hectares. It is noted that most of the increase in area was recorded from 2010 to 2019, while it remained somewhat flat during the preceding 20 years (1990–2009).
The total world production of cowpeas was 8.9 million MT in 2019, which was more than four times as compared to 2.1 million MT in 1990 (Figure 1.3). However, from 2010 to 2019, an increase of only 25.47% was recorded, compared to 7.1 million MT in 2010. The area under cowpeas cultivation since 1990 exhibited a significant growth, i.e., from 5.7 to 14.4 million hectares. In contrast to dry beans and pulses, the boost in cowpea production appeared to be related mainly to the increases in the cultivated area. Nonetheless, technological advances too have contributed partially to higher production of cowpeas globally.
The average yield of dry beans, all pulses, and cowpeas was 874, 1124, and 616 kg/hectare, respectively, in 2019. As was the case with the total production and area under cultivation, yields of dry beans, all pulses, and cowpeas since 1990 have recorded a 32.26, 32.08, and 60.78% increase, respectively.
Leading producers of dry beans, cowpea, chickpea, lentil, lupin, pigeon pea, vetches, and other minor pulses are shown in Table 1.2. Myanmar, India, Brazil, China, and Tanzania top‐five dry beans producing countries in 2019, with a production of 5,846,622 MT, 5,310,000 MT, 2,906,508 MT, 1,297,867 MT, and 1,197,489 MT, respectively. Combined, these five countries contributed about 57% of the total world production. Uganda, USA, Mexico, Kenya, and Burundi were the other countries among the leading dry beans producers. Nigeria, Niger, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, and Kenya were the top‐five cowpea producers, with Nigeria and Niger together accounting for 67% of the total world production. The cowpea production in the USA has been on a decline in recent years, with 2019 production of 11,750 MT, which was 65,570 MT in 2010.
Fig. 1.3. World production (bars) and area under cultivation (lines) of dry beans, pulses, and cowpeas (1990–2019). Dry beans data include pinto, navy, kidney, lima, black, great northern; pulses data include chickpeas, lentils, lupins, pigeon peas, vetches, and other minor pulses.
Source: FAO (2020).
Table 1.2. Leading dry beans and pulses producing countries in 2019 (metric tons, MT).
Source: FAO (2020).
| Dry beans | Cowpeas | Chickpeas | Lentils | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Myanmar | 5,846,622 | Nigeria | 3,576,361 | India | 9,937,990 | Canada | 2,166,900 |
| India | 5,310,000 | Niger | 2,386,735 | Turkey | 630,000 | India | 1,227,820 |
| Brazil | 2,906,508 | Burkina Faso | 652,454 | Russian Fed. | 506,166 | Australia | 533,755 |
| China | 1,297,867 | Ethiopia | 374,332 | Myanmar | 499,438 | Turkey | 353,631 |
| Tanzania | 1,197,489 | Kenya | 246,870 | Pakistan | 446,584 | Nepal | 251,185 |
| Uganda | 979,789 | Mali | 215,436 | Ethiopia | 435,193 | USA | 244,400 |
| USA | 932,220 | Cameroon |
215,016
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