Phil Rix, President of BEPA, comments: First UK harvest indications suggest peas to be yielding normally and that winter beans too will be satisfactory, despite the drought. But concerns about spring bean yields/quality are inevitable.

Summary

• Many agricultural commodities are rising in price on the back of lower yield predictions for 2010 harvest. The French report a 15% price hike in both peas and beans in early July.
• First UK harvest indications suggest peas to be yielding normally and that winter beans too will be satisfactory, despite the drought. But concerns about spring bean yields/quality are inevitable.
• Canadian pea production is expected to fall by 20% due to a significant decrease in sown area (excess rain in May/June) and, to a lesser extent, lower yields.
• Supply will remain unchanged due to the large stocks.
• French pulse acres have been revised up further to 216,000 ha peas and 135,000 of beans.
• Bruchid has been prevalent there this year and hot weather may affect grain quality, but it is too early yet to tell.

Feed Beans As usual, it is very difficult to ascertain the uptake of feed beans but, with soybean prices (CBOT) up again last week at $373.6, there is considerable volatility in the pulse feed markets so it can be assumed this sector remains a strong consumer. The French have noted a strong showing of UK pulses in continental feed markets over the past year.

Human Consumption Beans After early French imports, Egyptian demand is very quiet and sterling has also strengthened vs Euro/$US recently. They are also wary of recent bean prices which have tracked wheat upwards. Quality will be a major issue this year with Bruchid very prevalent and some small seed evident after the hot/dry weather. Winter varieties may show more strongly than usual in export grades after this summers harvest.

Marrowfats Carryover has been higher than expected, creating some storage capacity issues. Without movement contracts sales will be delayed. Early samples suggested poor water absorption, which will hopefully improve as we get into the harvest. Current showery weather needs attention with the attendant risk of bleaching.

Blue Peas
As for marrowfats the carry-over is higher than expected. Buyers are awaiting new crop so little activity at present.

White Peas Whilst our human consumption crop is very small and very little old crop remains, the French are gearing up to re-introduce their feed sector to this protein source. Their latest figures suggest the crop might provide a million tonnes of (mainly white) peas. Their prices too have increased in line with beans.

BEPA is the trade association representing the processors and users of British-produced pulse (dried pea and bean) crops.   BEPAs key objectives are to liaise with UK government and other national and international associations, encourage the consumption of home-produced pulses by promoting their value as healthy, high-protein and high-fibre foods, and to liaise with crop scientists and plant breeders.