Azuki bean crop proves popular with farmers
Thursday, February 18, 2010
by PATRICIA GROTENHUIS
Azuki beans are such a popular crop for Ontario farmers that contracts for their production were filled a month earlier than usual this year.
Azuki beans have been produced in Ontario for over 20 years, and Hensall and District Co-operative has contracted the beans to Japan for 20 years. Murray Insley, field marketing manager origination at Hensall, says Japanese demand has increased greatly over the past year. Insley says he cannot provide exact numbers because details of the company’s contract with the beans’ buyer are confidential.
“Over the years we’ve developed a great relationship with Japan,” says Insley. “Ontario has a good reputation of high quality products.”
Hensall is one of the largest azuki contractors outside of Japan, and the major Ontario contractor. This year, contracts are for 1,500 pounds per acre, and $42 per 100 pounds. Insley normally has contracts available from December to March, but 2010 contracts have already been filled.
Insley thinks contracts filled so quickly this year because prices for other markets have fallen so azuki contracts are more attractive.
The future looks promising for the small bean. As of March, 2009, Japan’s population was more than 127 million. The country’s population has grown over the past two years.
Because of its large population, the country is unable to produce enough beans to meet domestic demand. Insley predicts demand for the bean will continue to increase.
The beans are used mainly for confection. The beans are the main ingredient for oyaki, a paste used as a spread for pastries. They are also used in soft drinks and chocolate bars. Many Japanese buy beans rather than large amounts of the more expensive meat due to price, says Insley.
With Ontario’s climate ideally suited to azuki production, “we’re confident we can grow this business for years to come,” says Insley.
Bill Reymer, of Aylmer, has grown azuki beans for seven years, and currently produces 400 acres. He says due to the small size of the red beans (4,000 seeds per pound), special seeding plates are needed. Azukis average yields of 1,700 pounds per acre, compared to 1,800 pounds per acre for white pea beans. Although yield is slightly lower, the inputs are also lower, he says.
The main management concern is the small amount of azuki re-growth the next year, which requires spraying. Reymer has found a benefit to azuki beans: they do not seem to be susceptible to white mould, unlike the white pea beans, which he also grows.
Research is being done on azukis in Ontario, including breeding trials at the Harrow Research Centre and the University of Guelph, and pesticide research trials around the province. Azuki beans are included in provincial variety trials. Pesticide and variety trials are done by a variety of companies.
The Ontario Coloured Beans Association sponsors the research through license fees. Bernadine Wolfe, the association’s secretary/treasurer, says the beans have adapted well to Ontario.
“They’re a hardy bean. They’re slow to germinate but do quite well in the fall,” says Wolfe.
The Association will be sharing the latest research results on the beans March 4 in Kirkton. The meeting is open to everyone. BF