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LRKB acres in the Americas to rise in 2026

This article is sponsored by Pulses 26, a joint event by GPC & USA Pulses, taking place on May 11-14, 2026 in Orlando, USA

Back in 2024, the combined US, Canadian, and Argentinian light red kidney bean (LRKB) production dropped as low as 45 KMT, with US grower prices dropping as low as $41/cwt due to a significant carryover. 2025 saw production between these three key producers bounce back up to 68 KMT in total. Despite the US and Argentina upping their YoY LRKB production by 27% and 122% respectively, supply wasn’t necessarily ample, and a drive to grow supplies may be reflected in spring’s decisions on seeding. 

Charles Wachsmuth of Chippewa Valley Bean  said that US LRKB supply last season was “extremely tight — if not a little short”, which is why the US has more or less zero carryover coming into the new season. 

This cycle could see acres rise not only in the US, but also in Argentina, according to Ivan Martin of Alimar. Martin stressed that an acreage bump in LRKB would hinge on the availability of strong seed, but that farmers were keen to plant more. 2024 was a catastrophic crop year for Argentinian beans in general, including LRKB’s, which dropped to a four-year production low of 3 KMT. 

Destination markets: could energy price shocks change demand?

The UK is one of the largest markets for LRKB, where it is used for canning purposes. Italy also buys stock from the US and Argentina. The recent rise in liquid natural gas prices caused by the Iranian conflict may begin to impact the margins of European canners, raising questions for the months to come. Could persistent high LNG prices impact LRKB demand in the UK/EU? How exposed is the global kidney bean demand to price shocks in shipping and canning? The Speckled & Color Beans Panel at Pulses 26 will get answers to these questions and the full global picture for kidney beans, speckled beans, and other colored beans. For now, these variables remain one of the industry's great unknowns as the new season approaches.

Insider insights

Ivan Martin — Alimar SA (Argentina)

• “We had good crops and a good year with reasonable prices for coloured beans, and I think it's possible that there is a growth in acres for LRKBs, but that will depend on the availability of seed.”

Charles Wachsmuth — Chippewa Valley Bean (USA)

• (On kidney beans) “I think the US is going to be up year-on-year, with a slight reduction or increase in dark red kidney bean (DRKB) acres in the upper Midwest, and a significant bump in the LRKB acres. I've heard from multiple people that Argentina will stay at about the same level (of kidney bean production) as last year –  around 45 KMT.” 
• “We’re looking at a small carryover in DRKB and zero carryover for LRKB. I would say that LRKBs in 2025 were extremely tight, if not a little short.”