Pulse market review for Harvest 2010

Beans
Wizard has now established itself as the most widely grown Winter Bean variety, with over 90% of the 2010 crop. Trade estimates put the 2010 winter bean crop at around 83,000 Ha. However with lower yields the overall bean area therefore has potential for around 550,000 tonnes production.

Quality from this harvest has been variable, with beans being smaller than usual and high bruchid infections causing more rejections in many parts of the country. Wizard quality has this year been very good, with good even sized grains with showing less shrivelled, the slightly smaller size this year has also increased the physical appearance.

UK Areas grown (based on DEFRA census figures/Wherry estimate )

Harvest Year

Spring Peas

Spring Beans

Winter Beans

2010

45,000Ha

75,000Ha

83,000Ha

2009

42,000Ha

85,000Ha

85,000Ha

2008

35,000Ha

69,000Ha

68,000Ha

2007

40,000Ha

60,000Ha

59,000Ha

2006

48,000Ha

95,000Ha

75,000Ha

Peas

Peas have increased for 2010 harvest, perhaps due to the available land and also due to new variety introductions. New marrowfat varieties Sakura and Genki have much improved standing ability these attributes attract pea growers. Samples of Sakura have been encouraging with good colour retention compared to reports of other varieties. The blue pea area is dominated by Prophet, which has yielded well and suits many different marketing options. Yellow peas are lead by Mascara and Ragtime although areas of yellows have dropped dramatically in recent years. The pea area is still less than half of where it was 6 years ago, the long term growers are now left with excellent marketing opportunities for the coming season.