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March 28, 2016 Volume Two, Issue 4
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BRAZILIANS LOVE OUR PINTOS!
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USDBC recently concluded taste tests with slow darkening pintos in Brazil as part of our new promotional activities in that market. Brazil is a net exporter of beans but our recent research has revealed that Brazilian importers are seeking to buy U.S. dry beans to ensure market stability during times of seasonal supply challenges. The bean variety best suited to substitute for their most widely consumed class of bean, the Carioca, is the U.S. pinto. Central Valley Co-Op provided samples of the new slow darkening Vibrant pinto variety for consumer testing.
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Meal tasting in Brazil with U.S. pintos,
photo courtesy of Prime Launch, Brazil |
Out of the 275 people who were interviewed at the restaurant test site, 88% approved Pinto beans with scores of 8 to 10. Of those, 41% gave the Pinto beans the maximum grade (10). Only 12% gave a grade of 7 or below (which is great considering Brazilians are very picky about their beans). We were told 50% of the people noticed the difference between their normal beans (carioca) and the U.S. Pintos served on that day at the restaurant. However, many indicated that the Pinto beans were better because they were bigger, softer or tasted better. No negative visual difference was reported by consumers with the cooked product.
Most importantly, lab tests run by our research firm, showed that Pinto beans have 27% more fiber and fewer calories than carioca beans. Pinto beans also reportedly hydrated faster with more water absorption capacity (9% more than cariocas). If these numbers hold true, these are great selling points for Brazil's expansive food service industry. We are very encouraged by these results and our market potential in Brazil. We will share the full report when available.
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NEW VALUE ADDED SEMINAR
NOW PART OF OUR CENTRAL AMERICA LINE UP
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Next month, USDBC will hold it's first regional seminar on value added/processed products with dry beans. The Seminar takes place April 19 in Antigua, Guatemala and will include participants from technology providers and major buyers throughout Central America and the Dominican Republic. Seminar topics will include; new technologies for the manufacture and extrusion of bean based products, processing techniques, success stories from companies who have integrated these products into their line, and an overview of global market trends.
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| Screen grab from USDBC Value Added webpage |
Presenters will include several important experts in the field from all over the Americas who will share their experiences and provide information on best practices. The seminar is held in partnership and with support from the USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service.
For more information, please see our special website for this event,
http://www.usdrybeans.com/value-added/
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MORE DRY BEANS
GOING INTO
GLOBAL FOOD ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
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Last year, USDBC re-chartered its Food Aid Committee in response to the growing demand for global nutritional assistance and the return of competitive bean prices. Committee and industry members have been dedicating time and effort to communicating the availability of dry beans to the U.S government agencies engaged in feeding assistance, private humanitarian organizations, and the World Food Programme (WFP). Competitively priced and nutrient dense, U.S. dry beans have an important role to play in mitigating hunger and saving lives. We anticipate an enhanced USDBC food assistance program in 2016 and increased tonnage of dry beans feeding vulnerable populations around the world.
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| Price graph by Randy Duckworth and Dave Mcclellan, USDBC |
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MOMENTUM AND OPTIMISM
TOWARDS
US/CUBA TRADE NORMALIZATION
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Despite the long term embargo, until 2009, Cuba was a top export market for a number of U.S. agricultural commodities as permitted by the Trade Sanctions Reform and Export Enhancement Act (TSRA). U.S. market share in Cuba all but dried up after 2008 as TSRA only allowed for cash purchases and it was easier for Cuba to trade with nations offering credit.
The U.S. agricultural community is hopeful that recent trade opening measures will mean a return to this important market. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced that USDA will allow the 22 industry-funded Research and Promotion Programs and 18 Marketing Order organizations to conduct authorized research and information exchange activities with Cuba. According to USDA's official announcement, the groups will be able to "engage in cooperative research and information exchanges with Cuba about agricultural productivity, food security and sustainable natural resource management." We are hopeful that in the not too distant future, we will also be able to use our USDA market promotion funds to develop or renew export channels to Cuba. USDBC will continue to work together with the agricultural community through the U.S. Agricultural Coalition for Cuba to advance these efforts.
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USDBC CELEBRATES
INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF PULSE IN THE NETHERLANDS
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USDBC was invited to promote dry beans at an event organized by USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) in The Hague Netherlands. The event, held at the Residence of the American Ambassador to the Netherlands, targetted the Dutch food press and food bloggers. Some 40 top writers attended the seminar, which was followed by a series of tastings, located at various "food station" tables. Also in attendance, the Administrator of FAS, Phil Karsting and the American Chargé d'Affaires, Adam Sterling.
This was an excellent opportunity for USDBC to speak in detail about the importance of dry beans and pulses as a nutrient dense food and the numerous benefits with regards to affordability, sustainability, and versatility. In addition, a number of pulse based foods were served for the members of the press and other attendants to sample and enjoy. During the tasting, participants were also treated to a video about dry beans from the Nebraska Dry Bean Commission.
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| Johanna Stobbs, USDBC and Marcel Pinckaers, FAS/The Hague at IYOP event |
We appreciate this invitation to promote U.S. dry beans to this important market as well as surrounding markets and generate new sales. We will report on anticipated sales in our next European Market report. Special thanks to FAS/The Hague for making this event a huge success.
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IN BRIEF.....
USDBC just received a new $500,000 grant from USDA/Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Emerging Markets Program to promote IYOP in the DR/CAFTA and Mexico markets. Thanks to FAS for their continued support our new market exploration efforts.
USDBC has joined with other agricultural commodity groups in a series of letters to Congress on the n
ext fiscal year's budget and appropriation bills, offering advice to various oversight committees. Issues covered include; support for a uniform GMO labeling scheme, opposition to any cuts to crop insurance, and opposition to any cuts to farm bill programs.
USDBC joined with other agricultural groups in an effort led by the Farm Bureau to encourage USDA to utilize funds authorized via the farm bill to upgrade and finalize the Acreage Crop Reporting Streamlining Initiative (ACSRI).
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Reserve your room now
The U.S. Dry Bean Convention is in San Diego, CA this year.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
April 25 - 28, 2016
Alimentaria, Barcelona, Spain
May 19 - 22, 2016
Global Pulse Convention, Izmir, Turkey
June 1 - 15, 2016
Mercosur Harvest Tour, Argentina and Brazil
July 30 - August 2, 2016
U.S. Dry Bean Convention, San Diego, CA
October 15 - 20, 2016
SIAL Trade Show, Paris, France
October 15 - 18, 2016
Colombia Trade Mission
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Executive Director
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US D
RY
B
EAN
C
OUNCIL
8000 West Drive, Suite 833, North Bay Village FL 33141
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