The acreage of brown beans also seems to continue to grow in the coming season. The industry is still looking for acreage for cultivation in 2021, where it could possibly be an alternative to potatoes for arable farmers.
Figures from Statistics Netherlands show that 2.130 hectares of brown beans were grown this year. More than 700 hectares more than a year earlier. 90% of the acreage is located in Zeeland. According to CZAV and Van Iperen, acreage can still be placed with growers for cultivation next season. "In practice, yields of 3.500 kg per hectare or more can be achieved. Beans can thus provide a good balance", according to Stefan de Ruijter, commercial technical advisor at CZAV.
Johan Aarnoudse, specialist in fertilization/cultivation systems at Van Iperen estimates that the area of brown beans in his working area for next year will be comparable to last year. "We have to wait and see what the contract prices for potatoes will do. If prices are low, there may be some extra demand."
Hoarding in lockdown
Partly due to the corona crisis, there is extra interest in buying and consuming locally grown food and healthy food. For example, during the first lockdown last spring, consumers hoarded kidney beans, which caused stocks to run out. People are more aware of what they eat. Legumes are a good source of protein. Demand therefore seems to keep pace with acreage growth.
A late harvest is one of the biggest risks of cultivation. It is important to sow on time and to be careful with nitrogen, otherwise the crop will mature too late. Due to the loss of the seed coating against insects and the dry conditions last spring, some growers did not sow until June. These plots only became ripe when a wet period set in at the end of September. This resulted in a loss of quality and difficulties during the harvest.
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