Overall Decline in Edible Beans Expected

VANCOUVER - Feb 1/13 - SNS -- Dry edible bean markets in Canada and the United States have been relatively strong for all classes since the start of the 2012-13 marketing year. Even so, returns to growers have not been as competitive with other crops as might be expected, with the result total seeded area stands a could chance of dropping.

The impact will not be uniform. Some of the minor classes are putting in good enough performances this season, both in terms of movement and price, that some states could see in an increase in dry edible bean acreage. But, land in the major classes and major producing states will likely decline in favor of grains and oilseeds.

The most important edible bean producer is North Dakota. The top three crops grown in the state are wheat, soybeans and corn. Last year, farmers planted 7.84 million acres of wheat, 4.75 million acres of soybeans, and 3.6 million acres of corn. By comparison, farmers in the state grew 700,000 acres of dry edible beans and 235,000 acres of peas and lentils.

In Manitoba, for comparison, the top three crops last year were canola, wheat and soybeans. Farmers planted 3.575 million acres of canola, 2.99 million acres of wheat, and 800,000 acres of soybeans. Land in dry edible beans totalled 135,000 acres, peas 55,000, and lentils around 1,000 acres.