U.S. Edible Bean Harvest Down 11%

WASHINGTON - Dec 11/06 - SNS -- Dry edible bean production in the United States ended up slightly better than initially expected, with the USDA pegging this year's harvest at 23.8 million cwt (100 pound units) or 1.082 million metric tons (MT), down 11% from last year's revised estimate of 1.215 million MT.

In releasing its latest estimates, the USDA said harvested acreage is forecast at 1.53 million acres, 2% below the last forecast but virtually unchanged from the previous year's revised acreage.

The average U.S. yield is forecast at 1,558 pounds per acre, an increase of 35 pounds from the October forecast but 188 pounds below the revised 2005 yield.

Production is below a year ago in 13 of the 18 producing States. Production is down from a year ago for large lima, baby lima, great northern, small white, pinto, light red kidney, dark red kidney, small red, cranberry, and small chickpeas. Production increased from last year for navy, pink, black, blackeye, and large chickpeas.

Subscribers can read the full text of the article by Clicking here