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Ko Impex Limited

Dry Beans

Lima Beans (Butter Beans)

Lima beans — sold through most of the trade as butter beans — are a broad, flattened white seed of Phaseolus lunatus, contracted for canning and prepared foods.

Lima and butter bean are the same commodity under two market names rather than two products, which is why they share one page here. The seed is notably larger and flatter than any Phaseolus vulgaris white bean.

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Large white lima beans, also traded as butter beans, showing the broad flattened kidney-shaped seed
Origin
Tanzania · Malawi
Processing
Whole, dried · Machine cleaned
Crop year
Stated on contract
Packing
25 / 50 kg PP
Quantity
Container quantities
Incoterms
FOB · CFR · CIF
HS code
0713.39
Availability
On request

Specification

Typical export specification

Indicative contract parameters, not laboratory results. The specification that applies is the one written into the contract.

Lima Beans (Butter Beans)

Large white lima, machine cleaned

Indicative
Product
Lima beans, Phaseolus lunatus
Origin
Stated on offer
Crop year
Stated on contract
Moisture
14% max
Purity
99% min
Foreign matter
0.5% max
Split and broken
Against buyer requirement
Size class
Against buyer requirement
Colour
As per approved sample
GMO status
Not genetically modified

Notes on specific parameters

  • Crop year — Contract on a specific crop year; it materially affects colour, cooking behaviour and insect load.
  • Split and broken — The broad thin seed takes mechanical handling less well than a kidney bean.
  • Size class — Large white and baby lima are separate contracts.
  • GMO status — There are no commercially cultivated genetically modified varieties of this crop.
  • Traded as butter beans in most markets. One commodity under two names.

Grades and forms

Available grades

Commercially distinct types, each contracted separately.

  • Large white lima

    The broad flat white class sold as butter beans.

    Trade name
    Butter beans

  • Baby lima

    A smaller class, contracted where the large seed is too big for the pack.

    Availability
    On request

Packing and supply

Packing and container supply

Standard formats below, and buyer-specific packing where it can be supported. Planned net weight per 20ft container is indicatively 19 MT, confirmed against packing, density and destination.

  • Packing

    • 25 kg PP woven bag
    • 50 kg PP woven bag
    • Buyer-branded bags

  • Container

    • 20ft FCL — standard for bagged pulses
    • 40ft FCL where the density suits it
    • ~19 MT indicative net per 20ft

  • Terms

    • FOB
    • CFR
    • CIF
    • FCA on request

  • Loading

    • Net weighed and marked to contract
    • Container inspected before stuffing
    • Final payload confirmed against density and destination

Packing is confirmed in writing before bagging begins. Packing formats and marking in full.

Quality and trade

Quality and export documentation

What decides quality in lima beans

Skin integrity
The broad thin seed splits more readily than a kidney bean, so handling damage is the first thing counted.
Size band
Large white and baby lima are separate contracts, not a tolerance on one.
Colour
Background brightness against an approved sample.

Third-party inspection can be nominated at the loading point — sampling, analysis, weight verification and loading supervision. Quality and processing in full.

Typical export documents

  • Commercial Invoice
  • Packing List
  • Bill of Lading
  • Certificate of Origin
  • Phytosanitary Certificate
  • Fumigation Certificate
  • Weight Certificate

Final documentation depends on the commodity, origin, destination and buyer requirements. Not every document listed is required on every shipment.

Logistics, Incoterms and documentation

Origin and sourcing

Where this commodity is sourced

Sourced through established growers, aggregators and processors, with origin, crop and lot confirmed on each offer.
Check availability
More on lima beans

Size band and skin integrity decide a lot: the broad thin seed splits more readily in handling than a kidney bean does. Availability is confirmed per offer.

Also traded as butter beans · lima · madagascar beans · large white lima. These are trade names for the same commodity and are covered by this page rather than split across separate listings.

Destination markets

Typical destinations for this commodity. Import duty, quotas and phytosanitary conditions are set by the importing country — confirm the current position with your own broker.

End uses

  • Canning
  • Food service
  • Retail packing

Frequently asked questions

They are the same commodity. "Butter bean" is the common name in the UK, Africa and much of the trade; "lima bean" is the American and botanical name. One page covers both rather than splitting the same product in two.

Catalogue

Related pulses and beans

Request a current lima beans offer

Tell us the quantity, destination port and required specification. We will confirm current availability, packing and commercial terms.

  • Quantity
  • Destination port
  • Specification
  • Packing
  • Incoterm
  • Shipment window
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