Bean prices steady in Brazil, softer tone for UK pulses

Brazilian export bean prices are broadly steady at elevated levels, while UK pulse values show a slightly softer tone as harvest progresses and weather risks ease at the margin. Domestic Brazilian carioca and black bean quotes remain high but stable, reflecting comfortable short‑term supply after recent harvests. Brazilian FOB values for dark red and brown‑eye kidney beans around Brasília are unchanged in late August, mirroring a plateau seen in domestic carioca and preto prices after sharp increases earlier in 2026. CEPEA quotes for top‑grade carioca beans in Minas Gerais and Goiás on 26 August cluster around BRL 300–335 per 60 kg, with only marginal daily moves, while black bean prices in Curitiba and São Paulo also show very small changes. In the UK, feed bean values before harvest were indicated near GBP 215–217/t ex‑farm, but recent dry, warm weather and an advancing harvest are limiting any immediate upside.

Prices

All prices below are indicative FOB offers converted to EUR using ~1 EUR = 6.0 BRL and 1 EUR = 0.85 GBP.

Supply & Demand

In Brazil, domestic data and recent analysis point to a comfortable near‑term supply of carioca beans, with larger available volumes from recent harvests pressuring farm‑gate prices in some regions. At the same time, retail prices remain high on a year‑on‑year basis after an almost 97% jump in average carioca prices between January and July, though supermarket quotes have started to edge down in August.

Black bean supply is tighter than carioca in parts of Brazil, which has kept preto prices relatively firm compared with the more pressured carioca segment. Export flows are increasingly dominated by Vigna‑type beans to India, so recent export strength has only a limited direct impact on domestic carioca and preto availability. Overall, this backdrop supports the current flat FOB structure out of Brasília.

In the UK, industry reports ahead of harvest 2026 suggested slightly lower pulse area and significant weather‑related variability in crop condition. Heat and drought earlier in the season raised quality concerns for food‑grade beans, but also accelerated ripening and harvest progress. As a result, feed‑grade bean availability is expected to be adequate, tempering price upside even if top food quality lots attract a premium.

Weather snapshot (BR & GB)

Brazil (Brasília region, BR): Short‑term forecasts around Brasília indicate predominantly dry to slightly showery conditions over the next week, with maximum temperatures in the mid‑ to high‑20s °C and no major cold fronts or excessive rainfall events expected. This is broadly neutral for stored beans and for planning the next planting cycle, avoiding logistics disruptions.

United Kingdom (London & main bean belt, GB): For southern and eastern England, including the London area, outlooks point to mixed sun and clouds, light showers and moderate temperatures in the high‑teens to low‑20s °C over the coming days. Such conditions are generally favourable for completing bean harvest and post‑harvest drying, reinforcing the slightly easier tone in UK FOB offers.

Fundamentals & market tone

• Brazil price plateau: After extreme gains earlier in 2026, domestic carioca and preto prices have stabilised in late August as additional supply reached the market and retail demand partially adjusted to higher price levels.
• Export channel focused on Vigna: Recent export growth is concentrated in Vigna beans (e.g. mung, cowpeas) to India, so conventional carioca and black beans remain largely oriented to the domestic market, limiting export‑driven volatility in FOB Brasília kidney and alubia quotes.
• UK pulses: feed vs food spread: UK commentary highlights a widening quality spread: drought‑ and heat‑affected lots may be downgraded to feed, while limited volumes of high‑quality human‑consumption beans command a premium over the broadly stable feed base.

Trading outlook (next 1–2 weeks)

• Brazil FOB (kidney & alubia, Brasília): With domestic spot prices flat and weather benign, expect a broadly sideways EUR trend in the very short term, with only modest downside risk if further supply pressure emerges from late‑arriving lots.
• UK FOB (white kidney, broad and fava beans, London): As harvest advances under mostly favourable weather, a slightly softer to flat EUR bias is likely, especially for feed‑quality material; premiums for top food‑grade parcels should remain firm.
• Risk management: Buyers with nearby coverage gaps may consider layering in small volumes on any dips, while sellers should use current stable levels to advance hedging for Q4 shipments, particularly for higher‑quality beans with tighter availability.

3‑day directional price view (EUR, FOB)

• Brazil – Brasília FOB (kidney & alubia beans): 3‑day bias: Sideways. No major weather or policy triggers; domestic spot curve stable.
• UK – London FOB (white kidney, broad & fava beans): 3‑day bias: Slightly softer to flat, reflecting ongoing harvest, comfortable short‑term supply and mixed but generally non‑disruptive weather.