USDBC Completes Initial Survey of Argentine Dry Bean Harvest

USDBC Americas Rep Alejandro Leloir and Scott Bales, MSU
(last and second to last on right)
together with LG Food and Argentine dry bean breeders and growers.

USDBC conducted field visits around Argentine dry bean country to survey initial harvest results. During the visit, the team met with farmers, agronomists, processors, agricultural technology experts, dry bean breeders, and traders/exporters. The survey team was led by Americas Representative Alejandro Leloir and joined and assisted by Scott Bales, Michigan State University (MSU). This was the first time that a U.S. industry delegate was able to join the survey since the start of the pandemic.

The team also included local agronomists LG Food, and visited farming operations in six different dry bean growing locations meeting with over 20 farmers, private consultants, agronomists, and input dealers. As of report submission, harvest progress was around 10%. It’s early to make a determination about the 2022 Argentine dry bean crop but due to scarce and uneven rainfall patterns, it is likely to present great variability in quality and yield. Leloir noted that lots with adequate weed control and good soil structure made much more efficient use of the limited amount of rain received during this cycle. Both black bean and DRK bean planting areas increased in 2022. Some notable new trends include increased interest in planting mung beans as well as carioca beans (for the Brazilian market). Lack of certified seed and poor road conditions and access in dry bean growing areas continue to constrain the industry. Full report available upon request or on the USDBC website.