8% Cut in Intended Edible Bean Acreage

WASHINGTON - Mar 31/08 - SNS -- Dry edible bean area in the United States will not fall as much as feared, according to this year's USDA seeding intentions estimates.

Growers intend to plant 1.398 million acres in 2008, down 8% from last year and 14% below 2006. The decrease in planted acres can be mainly attributed to higher prices for competing crops and lack of soil moisture in some States.

Expected area planted for all chickpeas is 98,500 acres, down 22% from last year and 28% lower than 2006. Small chickpea area, at 15,400 acres, is 39% higher than 2007 but 11% lower than 2006. Large chickpea acreage is expected to be 27% less than last year and 30% lower than 2006. Small chickpeas are defined as peas that will pass through a 20/64 inch round hole screen. Otherwise, the USDA does not provide information on seeded area by class.

Acreage declines are expected in 12 of the 18 dry bean estimating States. In North Dakota, the largest producing State, growers intend to plant 70,000 fewer acres, which is the largest decrease in planted acres. Strong prices for competing crops in California, Idaho, Michigan, and Oregon led to a decrease in dry bean acres. States that show an increase in acres from last year have an increase in soil moisture.