Dry Bean Harvest Loss Drives Up Prices

November 2, 2026 · GıdaTarım

With harvests largely complete across Turkey, excessive rainfall has led to quality and yield losses, causing dry bean prices to surge by up to 45%.

Legume Yield and Quality Balance

While agricultural harvests, excluding rice, are largely complete across Turkey, imbalances between yield and product quality are prominent in the dry food sector. Mehmet Reis, Chairman of Reis Gıda, reported that while the general outlook for the 2026 production season was productive, excessive rainfall caused issues with bean size and insect infestation in some legume products. An increased supply of large-sized chickpeas drove prices down, whereas the low proportion of large-caliber dry beans directly pushed up their market value.

Prices for Dry Beans and Lentils

Reis Gıda Chairman Mehmet Reis commented on the price fluctuations in the legume market:

'Looking at the price trend of dry food items over the past year, there has been an increase in prices for dry beans, pinto beans, and bulgur. The highest price increase, at 40-45%, is for dry beans. Chickpeas and green lentils have seen price decreases.'

Highlighting the contraction in supply, Reis Gıda Chairman Mehmet Reis continued:

'According to TÜİK data, this year's harvest is expected to be around 210,000 tons. Last year, it was at the level of 247,000 tons. There is a loss of approximately 40,000 tons.'

For green lentils, insect problems encountered during harvest and threshing processes led to price declines.

Input Costs and Global Risks

Mehmet Reis emphasized that agricultural input costs are placing significant pressure on producers, stating that a lasting decrease in food inflation cannot be achieved without increasing domestic production capacity for essential items like fertilizers and seeds. Reis noted that purchases by the Turkish Grain Board (TMO) are stabilizing the market; he also expressed that geopolitical disruptions in Black Sea logistics, El Niño-induced drought, and climate risks are keeping upward pressure on global food prices alive.

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