April 23, 2026
2025/26 has been a year of depressed prices for black beans and pintos, after strong production filled global pipelines and key demand zones cooled their interest. The downward pressure on prices is sure to have consequences for this year's US acres – but just how big will the drop be?
Pulse Atlas — Pinto bean area harvested vs production 2017-2025.
US black bean and pinto production has seen its ups and downs in recent years, but this year looks like a second consecutive year in which acres will drop. However, with such enormous drops in acreage in 2025 (pinto and black bean acres fell roughly 22% and 23% YoY, respectively), perhaps this year's drop won't be as significant.
USDA grower bids (as of April 22) show prices this year have continued to fall, with average black bean bids as low as $24.67/CWT in the Minnesota-Dakota (Min-Dak) region, compared with an average of $28.67/CWT a year previous. Pinto beans bean bids are averaging at $25/CWT out of Denver, roughly 20% down compared to last year.
The catalyst for change in these markets has been plummeting Mexican imports, which have played a major role in reshaping demand for US black bean and pinto. Mexican imports of all dry beans dropped 40% YoY during the first seven months of 2025, according to El Universal.
Sam Peck of Jack's Bean International explained that, of all US dry beans, he was "most concerned" with the acres of black beans and pintos, suggesting they could be down as much as 30% YoY. The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) planting expectations suggest a slightly more conservative picture, with overall dry edible beans zones of Michigan and North Dakota projected down just 12% and 10%, respectively. These are key black bean and pinto areas.
Looking at the projections of lower acres, Brian Clancey of Stat Publishing paints a picture of what it could mean for production if yields hit average: "pinto beans would fall from 464 KMT down to 390 KMT," says Clancey, "whereas black beans would decline from 324 KMT to 299 KMT. That's if seeding intentions are correct and farmers plant in line with historic norms of land use."
"Pinto beans could be down further than that," he added, "because farmers are not happy with current market conditions."
Dylan Karley of North Central Commodities is on the ground in North Dakota (ND) and expects a 20% decrease in pintos and a 25% decrease in black bean acres across both ND and Minnesota (MN). He cites rising oil and input costs as an important factor in the current seeding equation.
"Pinto beans could fall from 576,000 acres to 497,000 acres. Black bean acres could fall from 333,000 to just under 302,000. At average yields, that means pinto beans would fall from 464 KMT down to 390 KMT, whereas black beans would decline from 324 KMT to 299 KMT."
"For acreage in the US, it's a bit of a moving target due to some drastic changes in the last few months for grower contracts. The changes in input costs (oil/fuel and fertiliser being the top) have changed the situation a bit, so it's hard to pinpoint where we are at."
"For ND/MN (approx. 65% of all dry beans in the US), I would place current estimates at 20% down in pinto beans and 25% down in black beans."
"I haven't spoken to anyone in Michigan lately, but I know they'll be slightly down as well. Nebraska and Colorado will likely have some irrigation issues due to lack of snowpack in the mountains this year, so that will lead to some reduced acres there as well."
Pulses 26 / US dry bean market / pinto bean production / black bean acreage / agricultural price trends
Disclaimer: The opinions or views expressed in this publication are those of the authors or quoted persons. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Global Pulse Confederation or its members.
