Faba Beans

Faba bean (Vicia faba L.) is a legume crop grown primarily for its edible seeds (beans). Faba bean is a
major legume seed consumed by humans worldwide. The seeds of some varieties are an important
livestock feed. Faba bean is also grown for fodder.

Faba bean is a multipurpose crop used for both food and fodder. Faba bean is a much appreciated
food legume in the Middle-East, the Mediterranean region, China and Ethiopia.

Gross value of Faba beans is $105 million in Australia.

Human Consumption

Faba beans intended for human consumption are harvested when immature. The dried seeds are
cooked, canned or frozen. Mature seeds are roasted and eaten as snacks in India, or ground to
prepare falafel, sauces and various food ingredients such as meat extenders or skim-milk replacers.
In India, Faba beans act as a substitute of matar and mixed in chana for making besan.

Faba beans are good source of Carbohydrate and protein and are low in fat. Protein content in faba
beans ranges from 24-31%. They are also in high fibre.

Animal Feed

Faba bean is used in the aquaculture, pig, poultry and horse industries as a source of protein as an
alternative to field pea, fishmeal, lupin, soybean meal and other protein supplements.

Faba bean is highly digestible and the metabolisable energy for pigs, poultry and ruminants is similar
to lupin, field pea and soybean meal.
Major Producing Countries (In Tons):

COUNTRY 2017 2018 2019

China 18,03,000 18,00,000 16,40,000
Ethiopia 8,78,000 9,21,000 9,60,000
Australia 3,74,000 2,40,000 3,40,000
U.K. 7,00,000 3,75,000 5,50,000
France 2,30,000 1,60,000 1,92,000
Germany 1,89,000 1,61,800 1,90,000
Egypt 1,28,000 1,50,000 1,70,000
Canada 99,800 91,300 1,16,500
Sudan 1,10,719 85,000 1,05,000
Source: https://www.graincentral.com/markets/prospects-bright-for-australian-faba-bean-crop/

China followed by Ethiopia and Australia are the three leading producer of Faba bean.

Australia is the world’s biggest faba bean exporter, holding around one-third of the global market,
with the United Kingdom the next biggest with 20 per cent of world custom.

Egypt is the biggest importer by far, and buys 45-50 percent of the world’s imports, followed by
Norway on 8 percent and Sudan on 6 percent.

It is notable that Faba beans constitute 10-15% of the total Pulses production in Australia.

Prices:

Prices of Faba bean came down to $500 per ton in Australia as reported which was trading at $1000
per ton few months ago.

Last year, prices of faba beans starts from $300 and goes upto $1000 per ton.

Prices fall down to $180 per ton due to high crop of faba beans in France and Ukraine and less
demand from Egypt.