Continued Disinterest in Edible Beans

WASHINGTON - Jun 30/08 - SNS -- Surging grower bids for dry edible beans are having no impact on growers in the United States, who now intend to plant 1.40 million acres in 2008, down slightly from the March 1 forecast and down 8% from 2007, according to the USDA's seeded area estimates.

Acres to be harvested in 2008 are estimated at 1.34 million acres, down 9% from last year. The decrease in planted acres can be attributed in part to strong prices for competing crops. Twelve of the 18 dry bean States decreased planted acreage from last year, two are unchanged, and four increased acres from 2007.

North Dakota's planted area of 600,000 acres is down 13% from last year. In Michigan, dry bean plantings of 190,000 acres are 5% below 2007; Idaho growers reduced planted acres by 17% as did Washington's growers; and California's planted acres are down 22% from 2007. Growers in Montana planted 13% fewer acres.

New York and Texas growers both reduced planted acres by 12%. Kansas, New Mexico, Oregon, and Wisconsin have fewer acres planted to dry beans this year, reducing acres by 8, 7, 25, and 2%, respectively, from last year. Nebraska's planted area of 120,000 acres increased by 9% from 2007. Colorado, South Dakota, and Utah increased planted acres from last year by 15, 8, and 33%, respectively. Minnesota and Wyoming dry bean planted acres remained unchanged from 2007.

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