Ask The Experts/
Black Beans Panel

02:55 Introduction of panelists
11:10 Samuel Peck of Jack’s Bean Company: Overview of the black bean market
28:52 Mike Janowicz of the Cooperative Elevator covers North America
36:15 Francisco “Pancho” Gutierrez of Agronegocios del Norte covers Mexico (in Spanish)
45:58 Alejando Leloir of the U.S. Dry Bean Council covers Central America
53:33 Fanny Molletones of Trustex Trading C.A. covers Venezuela (in Spanish)
58:13 Nicolas Karnoubi of OLEGA covers Argentina
1:10:14 Eduardo Balestreri of Arbaza covers Brazil (in Spanish)
1:18:20 Pricing forecast

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a spike in black bean consumption across the Americas. In the U.S.,
the expected carry-in for 2020/21 evaporated. In the nations of Central America, demand has skyrocketed
as people stay home. Is this spike in demand a one-time reaction to COVID-19 lockdowns or will it be
sustained over the coming months?

Venezuela used to be a major black bean market, with annual consumption of at least 50,000 MT.
But in recent years, the government imposed restrictions on imports and private trade. Has the country’s
annual consumption changed over the years and what are the chances that it will open up to trade once again?

On the supply side, a mid-February dry spell hit the Argentine crop just as planting was underway.
In neighboring Brazil, recent price increases suggest dry conditions lowered production expectations there,
as well. How are bean crops coming along in both countries and what are the yield expectations? 

Meanwhile, in North America, has the spike in demand piqued grower interest in black beans this planting
season? And how reliable are the surprisingly low Canadian anticipated bean acres released in early May? 

For the answers to these and other questions about the outlook for black beans in 2020/21, the
GPC’s Ask the Experts Black Beans Global Outlook featured a panel of distinguished industry insiders:

• Joe Cramer of the Michigan Bean Commission (moderator)
• Samuel Peck of Jack’s Bean Company (analyst)
• Mike Janowicz of the Cooperative Elevator (representing North America)
• Nicolas Karnoubi of OLEGA (representing Argentina)
• Eduardo Balestreri of Arbaza (representing Brazil)
• Alejando Leloir of the U.S. Dry Bean Council (representing Central America)
• Fanny Molletones of Trustex Trading C.A. (representing Venezuela)
• Francisco Gutierrez of Agronegocios del Norte (representing Mexico)