Chinese Bean FOB Prices Ease Slightly as Weather Risk Fades Near-Term

Chinese bean FOB prices are edging lower in late August, with modest week‑on‑week declines across mung, kidney and adzuki beans from Beijing, while domestic wholesale pulses stay relatively firm. Softer export prices reflect cautious buying and expectations of new‑crop arrivals, rather than a demand shock. Near‑term weather around Beijing looks mostly benign, limiting any immediate supply disruption risk. China’s bean complex is shifting from a tight early‑summer balance to a more comfortable late‑August outlook. Export‑oriented FOB prices in Beijing for mung beans, kidney beans and adzuki beans have slipped by roughly 1–4% versus mid‑month levels (all values converted to EUR), in line with earlier expectations that mung prices in particular would stagnate at elevated levels before easing into the new‑crop window. Retail and wholesale data from interior markets still show comparatively high price levels for red and black beans, indicating that underlying domestic demand remains steady. With Beijing’s 3‑day weather forecast pointing to showers followed by drier, warmer conditions, logistics and harvest‑related risks appear limited, keeping the market bias mildly bearish in the very short term.

FOB Price Snapshot (Beijing, CN)

All prices below are FOB Beijing, converted from USD to EUR at ~0.92 EUR/USD. Latest levels are for 26 August 2026, compared with 20 August 2026.

These declines are broadly consistent with earlier expectations that Chinese mung bean FOB values would plateau in August and soften into late August and September as new crop supply improves.

Domestic Chinese Pulse Signals

Fresh bean and pulse prices in major Chinese wholesale markets remain firm relative to export FOB values, underlining solid underlying demand. In Wuhan’s Baishazhou market, late‑August wholesale prices show red small beans near CNY 6.2/kg and black beans around CNY 5.2/kg, both significantly above export‑oriented dried bean reference levels once converted to EUR.

National wholesale data for fresh string beans (yundou) around 21 August indicate prices between roughly CNY 5–10/kg across key markets, suggesting that consumer‑facing prices remain well supported despite some easing at the export level. This divergence implies that current FOB softness is driven more by export buyer caution and expectations of better availability, rather than by a collapse in end‑user demand.

Weather & Short-Term Supply Outlook (Region: CN)

For Beijing and surrounding North China Plain areas, weather over 27–30 August 2026 is forecast to transition from showers to largely dry, warmer conditions. Local 30‑day forecasts point to thunderstorms on 27 August, followed by partly cloudy to cloudy skies with highs in the upper‑20s to around 29°C through 30 August and light winds.

These conditions are broadly favorable for late‑season fieldwork and logistics, with recent rainfall improving soil moisture but no immediate indication of widespread flooding or heat stress around Beijing. As a result, near‑term supply risks for beans related to weather in the CN region appear limited, reinforcing the mild downward pressure on FOB prices as buyers wait for clearer indications of new‑crop volumes.

Key Drivers Behind the Current Move

• New‑crop expectations: Market commentary through July already anticipated a shift from tight mung bean supply in July to a more comfortable balance in late August and September as new harvests arrive, capping upside and now nudging FOB values lower.
• Inventory management: Chinese downstream users are reportedly keeping low inventories and buying hand‑to‑mouth, which limits price spikes but also reduces support once tightness eases.
• Domestic demand resilience: Stable to firm wholesale prices for red and black beans in interior markets signal ongoing consumption, even as export offers soften, hinting at a two‑tier market where domestic and export channels adjust at different speeds.
• Benign local weather: With Beijing’s short‑term forecast showing limited weather stress and improving conditions after showers, logistical disruptions or quality damage are unlikely to lend immediate support to prices.

Trading Outlook & 3-Day Price View (EUR)

Trading Outlook (FOB Beijing, CN)

• Mung beans (conventional & organic): Bias mildly bearish into early September as new‑crop availability improves. Exporters should consider hedging by locking in forward sales on any short‑term rebounds, while buyers can afford to stagger purchases rather than front‑load volumes.
• Kidney beans (dark red & black): Recent 3–4% week‑on‑week declines suggest limited immediate downside left; value‑buying interest from importers may emerge near current levels. Short‑term rallies are likely to be modest without a weather or policy shock.
• Adzuki beans: With both conventional and organic prices easing 2–4% over the week, the market looks balanced. Processors may selectively extend coverage, but keeping some open demand into September could benefit from further small declines.

3-Day Regional Price Indication (FOB Beijing, CN, EUR/kg)

Directional view for 27–29 August 2026, assuming stable FX and no major policy surprises: