2,204 French Bean (Common Bean) Europe Underutilised Common bean is the most important grain legume for human consumption worldwide and Europe's most consumed grain legume. In Europe, 544.330 ha are cultivated with beans, producing 1,9 million Supply chains for common dry beans are usually short and often partly integrated with large producers and food manufacturers. However, importers and specialised sourcing companies are also essential, mainly when beans are imported from smaller suppliers. The food manufacturing industry comprises canning companies, packers, processors and food brands. Several food companies will buy common dry beans directly from local producers or exporters, especially companies that have beans as a core product, such as Pedon, La Doria Group (Italy), Luengo (Spain) and Sabarot (France). One of the largest processors and packers of beans in Northern Europe is Müller's Mühle (Germany) (CBI. Entering the European market for kidney beans and other common dry beans, 2022). 9781