Mexican Bean Imports Seen Rising

VANCOUVER - Aug 6/08 - SNS -- Dry edible bean production in Mexico still stands a chance of increasing this season despite a smaller than expected harvested area, but that will not prevent imports from rising, argues the U.S. agricultural attache for the country.

Part of the reason is last year's smaller crop, which forced the country to most of the beans carried in from the previous marketing year, resulting in a dramatic decline in ending stocks from 213,000 metric tons (MT) in 2007 to an estimated 50,000 MT this summer.

"(Last season's) production and harvested area estimates have been revised downward based on the latest official figures issued by the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fishing and Food (SAGARPA)," the U.S. agricultural attache said.

"According to official sources, the past year was characterized by dry weather conditions in the main producing states, such as Zacatecas and Durango. The states of Zacatecas and Durango, along with Sinaloa, account for nearly 50% of total bean production in Mexico."

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