U.S. Edible Bean Area Jumps 13%

WASHINGTON - Jun 30/10 - SNS -- Dry edible bean plantings in the United States will end up at an estimated 1.74 million acres, up 13% over last year, according to seeded area estimates released by the USDA today.

Area to be harvested in 2010 is forecasted at 1.67 million acres, up 14% from a year ago. Ten of the 18 dry bean estimating States increased planted acreage from last year, while seven States decreased acreage from 2009 and one State showed no change. North Dakota, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Idaho are the top five dry bean planted acreage States accounting for 79% of the total area planted.

In North Dakota, the largest producing State, planted area, at 700,000 acres, is up 15% from last season. Michigan showed a 10% planted acreage increase from a year ago, while Nebraska and Minnesota acreage increased 23% and 7%, respectively.