Record Dry Bean And Chickpea Crop

WASHINGTON - Oct 11/18 - SNS -- Combined dry edible bean and chickpea production in the United States is forecast at 37.8 million cwt or 1.71 million metric tons (MT), up 6% from last year, down slightly from last year, according to the latest USDA crop production estimates.

The USDA has dropped several states from its estimates. Including those suggest production will increase from 1.68 to 1.77 million MT. Significantly, chickpeas have become the most important class grown in the category, with production likely to exceed that of pinto beans for the first time in U.S. history.

In states covered by the USDA, harvested area is forecast at 2.01 million acres, down less than 1% from the previous year. The average United States yield is forecast at 1,884 pounds per acre, an increase of 103 pounds from 2017. If realized, Michigan, Minnesota, and Nebraska yields will be record highs.

In North Dakota, as of September 30, harvest was 91 complete, well ahead of the 5-year average of 66%. Between June 1 and August 31, temperatures averaged mostly above normal, while precipitation was average to above average, except for the northeastern part of North Dakota, which was below normal. As September 30, harvest in Montana was 89% complete, but behind the drought in 2017 where harvest was nearly complete by September 16.

In Michigan, as of September 30, nearly half of the bean crop was harvested and on schedule. Crop condition was rated mostly fair to good. In Minnesota, by mid-September, dry beans were rated mostly fair to good. As of September 30, ninety-four% of the crop had been harvested, over two weeks ahead of the 5-year average.

		
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