Planting intentions of dry edible beans overshadowed by the majors. large acreage shifts has Chicago markets trading sharply lower.

However U S dry bean growers intend to plant 1.50 million acres in 2007, down 8% from year ago levels, according to the USDA’s 2007 seeding intentions estimates just released.

The decrease in planted acres is being attributed to strong prices for competing crops and the disappointment in last year’s harvest prices and hefty discounts.

Based on the nearly 8% reduction in seeded acres and assuming trend-line yields: or, US growing regions hitting five-year average yields, dry bean output could drop 6 to 7 % below last year.

These numbers are, for the most part, surprising observers familiar with the industry since seed sales to date would indicate a much larger reduction.

Stat Publishing recently had two articles documenting the tightening of pulse supplies around the world.

Mar 28/07 – “Worries About Indian Pulse Yields”
The Indian subcontinent’s chickpea harvest may be in trouble.
Government forecasts of increases in seeded area are being mitigated by dry conditions through the winter and recent heavy rains interfering with harvest activity in some areas.

India’s government is clearly concerned over the continuity of pulse supplies to its people and has extended the duty-free period for pulse imports from July 31 2007 to March 31, 2008.

Mar 27/07 – “South Africa Slashes Bean Forecast”
The South African Grain Information Service (SAGIS) slashed forecast dry edible bean output in the face of significantly lower than expected yields.

Various newswire services are carrying the recent Stats Canada ‘planting intentions’ report where-in it indicates producers will plant 7% fewer acres.

Ontario producers plan to seed 65,000 acres of white beans. That is down from 95,000 seeded in 2006. Coloured bean acreage will total 70,000 acres, down 5,000.

Manitoba producers will plant 100,000 acres of both white and coloured beans. That is up 30,000 for whites but down 20,000 for coloureds.

Alberta producers could seed 50,000 acres predominantly coloured beans, down 4,000 from last year.

Editor’s note:

As with the USDA report earlier, official ‘intended acres’ are higher than industry pundits place them. Perhaps growers want to “keep their options open” and are holding back some acres for last minute change of plans.

AG-ALERT is confirming calls to the Board office that forward contract prices for some market classes of dry edible bean are still climbing.

At least one major buyer is reportedly offering C$30/cwt for White Pea beans.

An article datelined March 16th 2007 forecasts edible bean area in all three Prairie provinces lower this year since other crops offer options for better returns.

For the entire article click here

On March 16 Stat Publishing reports “Edible Beans Continue Rising”. Firmer bean values are emanating from the southern hemisphere. The black bean crop is forecast at nearly half of normal; while the white alubia (large sized seed – ‘Kidney type’) bean crop is expected to be down about 10%.

For the entire Stat Pub article click here

Edible bean acres in South America may already be feeling the effects of the strong North Amereican grain markets.

Ag Canada (AAFC) is forecasting an overall lower Canadian dry edible bean production (all market classes) by nearly 20% based on estimated acres, trend-line yields, precipitation and acreage abandonment.

For the AAFC special crops report click here

Specialty crop dollar sales top that of the five major U.S. commodity crops. ‘If we are serious about securing the future of agriculture, we need to tend as well to our specialty crops as we have done with our program crops in past years.’ Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns told the National Potato Council`s annual meeting.

This could have major implications on allowing dry bean acres to expand in the US as was seen with dry field peas with little or no regard to market and or price signals.

For for the story click here

South Africa’s summer crops in many areas have literally been scorched to death and even good rains in the near future would no longer benefit yields, a senior official at Grain SA said Wednesday.

South Africa is a key player in the dry bean market (Cranberry beans)

For the whole story click here