Bigger U.S. Bean Harvest Disguises Tight Future

VANCOUVER - Jan 14/11 - SNS -- North American dry edible bean production ended up bigger than initially thought, with the USDA increasing its estimate 1.6% from December, but still 2.5% below its October forecast.

In its crop production annual report, the USDA pegged the final harvest number at 31.3 million cwt (100 pound units) or 1.442 million metric tons (MT), up 290,000 MT from the previous year. This is the largest harvest since the 1.5 million MT crop of 1999 and the 1.38 million MT harvest of 2002.

Over the past five years, dry edible bean production in the United States averaged 1.205 million MT. The last time the rolling five-year average harvest was at or over 1.2 million MT was for the period spanning 1999 to 2003.

Commenting on last year's crop, the USDA said production is higher in 12 of the 18 States in the dry bean program in 2010.

"The top five producing States all showed increased production from last season. Production in North Dakota, the largest producing State, was up 34% from a year ago, while Michigan increased 20% from 2009. Minnesota and Nebraska's production increased 22% and 26%, respectively. Idaho's production is up 25% from last season.

"In North Dakota, harvest began the final week of August, about three weeks ahead of last season and was essentially complete by mid-October, a month ahead of last year. In Michigan, harvest began on a limited basis the week of August 23. By September 7, dry beans were turning quickly and continued to be harvested. Harvest wrapped up the week ending October 17.

"Excessive moisture slowed maturation and harvest in Minnesota. Several growers reported leaving unharvested beans in the fields. In Idaho, cool, wet weather this spring delayed planting and negatively impacted crop development," the USDA wrote in its final summary of crop production for 2010.