Читать книгу Dry Beans and Pulses Production, Processing, and Nutrition - Группа авторов - Страница 86

Generally, beans are contracted, produced, harvested, processed, and transported as scheduled to the end user in a direct and well‐maintained supply chain flow.

The dry bean market is determined by the perception of supply versus demand by the industry stakeholders. This is significantly different than many crops such as corn, soybeans, and wheat. Growers, processors, trading companies, canners, and packagers all have an opinion of what the price of beans at a given time should be. Forward or advance contracting has become an important tool in the supply chain. Each stakeholder in the supply chain can decide if or how deeply they want to participate at any given time. Market risk is a big factor in such decision‐making.

Meeting the terms of the sale or purchase the grower or buyer chooses to enter is another big risk. Each contact/contractor in the supply chain details the expectation as it relates to participants, price, delivery period, quality specifications, packaging, what approved chemistry can be used on the beans. Also, included in this contract are various logistical and economic details such as, delivery location, payment terms, trade rules that apply, etc. Most canners and packagers have very detailed specifications that apply to each of their purchases. It is noteworthy to recognize that a single adverse weather event can cause challenges meeting these specifications.

Various federal programs are allied to migrate risks involved in producing and marketing dry beans in USA. A drought or heavy rainstorm in another production region often can influence dry bean markets. Over the years, especially when there is an oversupply of dry beans, government feeding programs put in place years ago can quickly absorb some or all of the oversupply and quickly change the supply demand ratio. USDA programs such as the PL480 program (US International Food Aid) have very successfully taken the slack out of an oversupply and provided healthy, nutritious dry beans to malnourished families around the globe.

Canners and packagers begin discussing pre‐plant contract values for the upcoming planting season shortly after harvest. As mentioned, these discussions consider estimates of supply vs demand, market values, grower’s cost of production, etc. Once a value has been determined communications with growers begin and growers make decisions for their own operations. Contracts usually cover only a portion of the expected production, which also is considered by buyer and seller. The unpriced portion of the expected crop is a highly significant variable for both parties. Canners and packagers have ongoing relationships with institutions and retailers that also factor into pricing. These relationships are long term and quite complicated. The challenge is to receive beans for the processor’s projection of specified production volume at a fixed price. This also recognizes up‐front shelf space costs, price of the beans, cans, sauces, etc.

Over half of the beans produced in the USA are consumed domestically, leaving the balance available to be exported. Central America, South America, and the Caribbean have become tremendous trading partners. The UK and Mediterranean have been long‐term trading partners. The US industry interests continue to develop relationships in Asia and China. Exporting can add another level of responsibility or risk. Logistics, insurances, documentation (requirements vary from country to country) and transactional fees all add cost.