Minor Decrease in U.S. Edible Bean Crop

WASHINGTON - Dec 11/07 - SNS -- Dry edible bean production in the United States ended up 100,000 cwt (100 pound units) lower than expected at 25.2 million cwt or 1.144 million metric tons (MT), according to the USDA's latest crop production estimates.

Harvested acreage is forecast at 1.48 million acres, 1% above the last forecast but 4% below the previous year's acreage. The average U.S. yield is forecast at 1,708 pounds per acre, a decrease of 19 pounds from the October forecast but 131 pounds above the 2006 yield.

Production is up from a year ago for large lima, baby lima, pinto, light red kidney, black, and large chickpeas. Production decreased from last year for navy, great northern, small white, dark red kidney, pink, small red, cranberry, blackeye, and small chickpeas.

Production in North Dakota is forecast at 10.6 million cwt or 479,611 MT, 38% above 2006. Harvested acres increased 4%, while the average yield, at 1,590 pounds per acre, is up 390 pounds from last year. Harvest was essentially complete by the end of October, slightly behind last year and the 5-year average.

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