USDA’s February Vegetables and Melons Outlook by Gary Lucier.

The acreage outlook for the U.S. dry edible bean crop is once again uncertain, with early acreage expectations appearing much more fluid than in the recent past.

This uncertainty over 2007 dry bean acreage stems from the broad price strength for most competing field crops. The dry bean/corn price ratio is currently expected to be about 6.8 in 2006/07. When the dry bean/corn ratio last fell below 7.0 (in 1991/92 and 1995/96), dry bean acreage declined the following year (16% in 1992/93 and 11% in 1996/97). Although this is only one forecast indicator to consider (others include such things as stocks, market demand, and expected dry bean prices), it does suggest declining U.S. dry bean acreage for 2007, says Lucier. Aggregate dry bean acreage is currently expected to decline about 5% in 2007

The report also highlights that the U.S. aggregate grower price for all dry beans averaged 13% above a year earlier during September 2006 to January 2007. With the exception of navy beans, the grower price for every major dry bean class is averaging above a year earlier.

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Edible Bean acreage could be down by 20 or 30% in the province this spring and that could create some tight supplies by this time next year, Tino Breuer, Executive Director of the Ontario Wheat Bean Producers tells CKNX Radio. He says now users are starting to realize this – and reworking budgets to offer higher prices. Breuer says edible bean acres seem to be competing with soybean acres more than anything. He adds that acreage may not drop as much – if users can push prices high enough to buy back some acres.

Advises from Michigan have prices for White Pea Beans (WPB) also known as Navy beans being shown to growers across the line in Michigan at USD 26/bag (100 lb.)

Black Beans are being quoted at US $28/100 lb. bag for harvest delivery.

As well, there are reports that Michigan growers are being offered a “full production contract ” for WPB’s valued at USD 25/100lb. – ‘in the dirt’, through a Michigan broker. These contracts are for beans to be grown for an Ontario dry bean processor.

Those white beans delivered to the processor’s door in Ontario would carry a minimum cost of CND $30/100 lb. In light of these indications Ontario producers may wish to discuss the posted ‘board prices’ for dry beans with and at their local elevator.

Unconfirmed reports have Michigan grower values indicated at US dollars of 25.00 per bag (hundred weight) for full production contracts.

The Hensall District Co-Op is “flashing its best prices,” to get growers in the fold for the 2007 season.

In an interview with farmassist.ca, Hensall field marketer Derwyn Hodgins pegged new-crop Navy bean prices at 26-27 cents, Dark Red Kidneys at 36-38 cents; White and Light Red Kidneys at 34-36 cents, Cranberries at 34-36 cents, Blacks at 25 and Pinks at 26-27. Japanese Otebo beans were listed at 29 cents and Adzukis at 30 cents.

Those prices are up strongly from last year, and are even a bit higher from just last week, Hodgins said. “We’re flashing our best numbers today,” he said.

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Faced with the prospect of losing ground to corn and soybeans in 2007, Hensall District Co-Op (HDC) is making a strong pitch for dry beans, reports farmassist.ca.

In a Feb. 1 letter sent to dry bean producers in both Ontario and Manitoba, Hensall CEO Earl Wagner is asking farmers to start committing to grower contracts now – rather than later – as a means of assuring anxious end users that sufficient new-crop supplies will indeed be available. In fact, the letter said the co-op is aiming to have 100,000 acres of dry beans on the books by the end of February.

”Some food producers are slow to sign contracts because of current market volatility, and our loyal buyers are asking if sufficient supplies are available,” the letter said. “We strongly encourage food producers to step up now and secure this supply. If our customers make other arrangements, we will lose market share in the future.”

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