Bean Report: Production Up 56% From Last Year; Record Yield

United States dry edible bean production is forecast at 31.0 million cwt for 2012, up 56 percent from last year. Planted area is forecast at 1.73 million acres, up 44 percent from 2011. Harvested area is forecast at 1.69 million acres, 46 percent above the previous year. The average United States yield is forecast at 1,836 pounds per acre, an increase of 120 pounds from 2011.

If realized, yield will be at a record level exceeding the previous high of 1,768 pounds set in 2008.

In North Dakota, crop development began and remained ahead of last year and the 5-year average. As of September 30, ninety-five percent of the crop was harvested, about a month ahead of the five-year average. Throughout August and September, dry edible bean condition was rated mostly fair to good.

**Source: NASS/USDA