Early Outlook for More Bean Acreage in 05

VANCOUVER - Dec 23/04 - SNS -- There is general acceptance in the North American bean industry of the view that seeded area will rise in 2005, but numerous market participants assert planting seed availability will be a limiting factor.

This view was echoed by Agriculture Canada in its recent review of the North American industry and a brief look forward at the coming years.

"Early indications are that the seeded area for dry beans will increase in both countries, as prices are very attractive for most classes of beans. However, the increase in seeded area could be limited by the seed supply and by possible discouragement of producers in North Dakota, Minnesota and especially in Manitoba, because of the poor crop in 2004-2005," wrote Stan Skrypetz, Agriculture Canada's Pulse and Special Crops Analyst in an anlysis of the dry edible bean sector.

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