Turkey Bean Production on the Decrease

By Johanna Stobbs

Production of all pulses in Turkey has been decreasing steadily over the last decade, making Turkey, once a net exporter of dry legumes, a net importer. The reasons for the decrease are numerous, including: lack of an effective national agricultural policy, the shrinking size of farms, seed degeneration, an absence of research into seed improvement, and more profitable competing crops. US exports of garbanzo beans increased by 51% in quantity and by 29% by value in the first 11 months of 2017. All other US dry bean classes lagged behind, especially Great Northern beans which showed zero exports for the period. The reason for this may be price competition from Canada. 2018 should see a reversal of this for US Great Northern beans, since Canadian Alberta-type beans are said to be in short supply.

Recently US pinto beans have started to enter the market, albeit in small quantities. In the 11-month period of January-November 2017, total US exports to Turkey of dry beans and garbanzo beans increased by 18% in value and by 33% in quantity. Tariffs on garbanzo beans, cranberry beans and blackeye beans imported into Turkey from all origins, have been suspended. The tariff will revert to the standard 19.3% on June 1, 2018.