Can N.A. Meet Future Bean Demand?

VANCOUVER - Apr 20/10 - SNS -- An interesting question is starting to be asked in some corners of the dry edible bean industry -- can we meet future demand? The issue is made more complex by the wide range of bean classes grown in the world and differences in individual markets.

Manitoba's dry edible bean industry can attest to shifting grower interest. Seeded area grew steadily until Manitoba became the most important producing region in the country in 1998. Growth continued through 2002 when land in edible beans peaked at 315,000 acres. Land in beans has since slid back under 140,000 acres per year.

Trends in Manitoba reflect those for the industry as a whole. Land in dry edible beans in the United States and Canada peaked at 2.5 million acres in 2002, the same year Canadian area reached its highest point. By contrast, U.S. bean area peaked almost 20 years ago when it hit 2.177 million acres in 1992.

Seeded area this year will be up over last year and the recent five year average if farmers stick with their seeding intentions. In the United States, they plan to sow almost 1.77 million this year, while Canadian area is expected to rise by a slightly smaller percentage amount.

The main reason for this year's increase in edible bean seedings is that returns to growers have not yet declined in line with major grains and oilseeds.