China Mung Bean Market: Tight July, Stagnant August, Softer September

China’s mung bean market is set for a stepwise pattern in summer 2026: firm in July on tight supply, stuck at elevated levels in August as demand caps further gains, and modestly softer from late August to September when new crop arrives. Overall prices are likely to stay high, but with limited upside from current levels.

Spot activity in July is driven by reduced port inventories of imported large-grain mung beans and seasonally strong demand for cooling food products. As the season progresses, downstream buyers are expected to maintain low stocks and purchase cautiously, preventing a runaway rally despite high costs. Looking toward September, an increase in domestic planting area and the approach of new-crop harvest should trigger a gradual normalization of supply, leading to a controlled price correction rather than a sharp downturn.

Prices

Domestic mung bean prices in China remain elevated in July, supported by tight port supply of Myanmar and Australian origins. Early July quotes at Qingdao port climbed to around CNY 5.15/500g for Myanmar and CNY 5.50/500g for Australian mung beans, reflecting both reduced tradable stocks and strong seller pricing power.

Converted to export reference levels, current Beijing FOB prices for Chinese mung beans stand near EUR 1.44/kg for conventional 3.8 mm up and around EUR 1.53/kg for organic mung beans. This keeps mung beans at the upper end of the Chinese bean complex, with adzuki and most kidney beans trading in a lower band of roughly EUR 1.07–1.38/kg FOB China. The recent uptick in organic mung beans versus early July underscores the firm tone.

Supply & Demand

For July, circulating port stocks of imported mung beans are estimated to be 40,000–50,000 tonnes below last year’s levels. Large-grain Myanmar and Australian beans account for a particularly low share of inventories, underpinning strong asking prices from importers. This coincides with peak summer consumption, as higher temperatures lift demand for mung bean-based beverages and desserts, keeping the nearby market tight.

From August, the balance shifts gradually. Downstream wholesalers are operating with lean inventories and increasingly follow a “buy-as-you-go” strategy, limiting forward coverage. Should rainy conditions persist across southern China, end-user offtake could weaken, reducing the pull from the distribution chain. Although cost support from tight imported stocks remains, insufficient demand follow-through is likely to cap upside, leading to a high but range-bound market.

By late August to September, domestic spring-sown mung bean acreage is reported higher than last year. New-crop beans are expected to reach the market from late August onward, progressively easing the supply constraint. While residual old-crop stocks are limited, the growing anticipation of fresh supply is already a psychological weight on forward quotations and will likely intensify as harvest approaches.

Fundamentals & Weather

Fundamentally, the market is transitioning from a supply-driven rally phase in July to a more balanced configuration later in the quarter. The combination of reduced imported availability and strong seasonal demand for heat-relief products justifies the current premium for high-quality, large-grain lots. Quality differentiation is expected to widen as buyers are willing to pay up for top grades while resisting higher prices for average material.

Weather in northern China, including Beijing, remains hot and humid over the coming three days, with daytime highs around 30–32°C and intermittent thunderstorms. This pattern broadly supports continued urban consumption of mung bean drinks but also raises some logistical risks for transport and storage. For southern producing and consuming regions, additional rainfall episodes into August would mainly affect short-term distribution rather than significantly altering 2026 production prospects at this stage.

Forecast & Trading Outlook

Looking ahead, the market is likely to follow a stepwise trajectory: strong July, high and stagnant August, then a measured pullback from September as new supply enters. Overall, prices should remain historically elevated, but fresh multi-month highs look harder to achieve unless import arrivals fall further or weather issues hit the new crop. The downside is cushioned by higher planting costs and thin old-crop residue.

• Importers / Traders: Use July’s firm market to forward-sell a portion of high-quality stocks. Consider scaling back long exposure from late August as new-crop pressure builds.
• Processors / Wholesalers: Maintain low-to-moderate inventories and buy on dips within the expected August range. Prioritize quality differentiation, paying up only for premium large-grain lots.
• End-users / Retailers: Lock in part of Q3 needs in July–early August but keep flexibility for September when spot prices may ease modestly.

3-Day Price Direction (EUR, indicative)

• China FOB Beijing – Mung beans (conventional, 3.8 mm up): around EUR 1.40–1.48/kg, bias: sideways to slightly firmer over the next 3 days.
• China FOB Beijing – Mung beans (organic): around EUR 1.50–1.56/kg, bias: firm on tight premium-quality supply.
• Other Chinese beans (adzuki, kidney): broadly stable in EUR terms, with minor moves driven more by FX and quality than by fundamentals in the very short term.