Chinese Bean FOB Prices Edge Mixed as Kidney Beans Firm, Mung Softens

Chinese bean FOB prices show a mild upward bias in red and black kidney beans, while large white kidneys and mung beans are easing slightly. Organic differentials remain firm but have narrowed in some segments. Overall export interest from Asia and Europe is steady, limiting downside despite comfortable spot availability. Chinese dry bean markets are entering the late-summer shoulder period with mixed price signals. Recent trade commentary highlights tightness in mung beans due to lower stocks and regulatory frictions on imports, while kidney beans benefit from stable export demand and expectations of tighter South American supplies later in the season. Domestic pulse demand is seasonally subdued but underpinned by food-processing and bakery use. Weather in northern China is generally supportive for late development of the 2026 bean crop, with no immediate yield-threatening extremes in the near-term forecast for Beijing and surrounding northern plains. Near-term, we see limited scope for sharp moves, but a modest firming bias in high-demand kidney bean grades.

Prices

(Prices converted from recent USD/FOB benchmarks to EUR at ≈0.93 EUR/USD where external references exist; otherwise based on direct EUR indications.) Recent international market commentary puts Chinese mung beans around 1,740 USD/tonne FOB, while red kidney beans are quoted near 1,590 USD/tonne and black kidney beans near 1,120 USD/tonne, underscoring the modest premium structure for red over black kidneys and a tighter balance in mung beans.

Supply & Demand

Chinese dry bean fundamentals remain relatively balanced but with segment-specific tightness. Market reports for mid-August note that mung bean stocks in China are roughly 40% below last year, with import flows from Myanmar down around 21% due to stricter pesticide residue rules. This has prevented a larger price correction despite seasonally soft summer demand.

Adzuki beans are in a gradual recovery phase after earlier price weakness. Forward-looking commentary highlights an estimated 28% reduction in 2026 planted area in northeastern China, which is likely to tighten supplies into late 2026 and 2027 and provide medium-term support to prices. Meanwhile, red and black kidney beans are supported by steady export demand from Europe and Northeast Asia and by expectations of lower output in South America, keeping a floor under Chinese FOB offers.

On the demand side, Chinese pulses are increasingly integrated into processed foods and bakery items, reinforcing baseline consumption. While the latest national grain trade report emphasizes soybeans, rice and coarse grains, it also shows robust overall grain import growth in 2026, indicating healthy demand for staple and alternative proteins. External demand for mung beans is further underpinned by strong import needs from India’s trading partners and China’s role as a key destination, which could tighten Asian regional availability if current buying pace continues.

Weather & Crop Conditions (China)

Weather conditions across northern China, including key bean-producing areas in and around Beijing and the northeast, are currently benign. A recent agrometeorological bulletin for July reported generally favorable moisture and temperature patterns for summer crops, with no large-scale drought or flooding in the primary pulse zones.

The 30-day outlook and short-term forecast for Beijing point to seasonally warm late-summer conditions with scattered showers and no severe extremes over the coming days. For beans now in late vegetative or pod-filling stages, this pattern supports stable yield prospects. As a result, weather is not an immediate bullish driver; price support is instead coming from structural factors such as reduced adzuki acreage and tightened mung stocks.

Fundamentals & Trade Flows

• Mung beans: Stocks estimated about 40% below last year in China, combined with a 21% drop in Myanmar exports due to residue compliance, keep underlying market tight despite recent minor price easing.
• Adzuki beans: A sharp cut in planted area (around -28% for 2026 in northeastern China) implies smaller forward supplies and a more constructive price outlook into 2027.
• Kidney beans: Red and black kidneys are supported by steady EU and East Asian food-industry demand and by expectations of lower South American production, which collectively favor stable-to-firmer Chinese FOB offers.
• Competition from other pulses: Broader pulse trade data show China remains an important importer of peas and mung beans, though these flows are secondary to soybeans and coarse grains; this helps cap substitution risk away from beans in the short run.

Trading Outlook & 3-Day Price View (FOB CN)

Trading Outlook (next 2–4 weeks)

• Red kidney beans (dark & light): Bias mildly higher. Consider covering Q4–Q1 needs on dips, as global supply risks (South America) and steady EU demand limit downside.
• Black kidney beans: Expect mostly sideways trade with a slight firming tendency in higher grades. Buyers may secure premium specs early as quality spreads could widen later.
• Mung beans: Near-term prices may remain range-bound, but structural tightness argues against aggressive short-selling. End-users should maintain minimum coverage.
• Adzuki beans: Watch for gradual appreciation as reduced acreage becomes more apparent; forward purchasing on a staggered basis is advisable.

3-Day Directional Price Indication (EUR basis)

• Kidney beans, dark red (CN FOB): Stable to +0.5% (≈1.25–1.26 EUR/kg) as export demand remains steady.
• Kidney beans, large white (CN FOB, conv. & organic): Stable to -0.5% as current offers are competitive and buying is measured.
• Kidney beans, black (CN FOB): Mostly stable (≈0.96 EUR/kg) with a slight upside risk if Asian demand picks up.
• Mung beans (CN FOB): Stable to -0.5% in the very short term, but downside is limited by low stocks and strong regional import demand.
• Adzuki beans (CN FOB): Stable with a mild upside bias as the market absorbs news of reduced 2026 acreage.