Southern and South coast, the Faba Bean should increasingly find a place in these areas. Market potential A premium human consumption export market exists in the Middle East. Other export opportunities currently appear to be more limited than Chickpeas and Field Peas, however because of the Faba bean's agronomic advantages it is likely that production will expand quickly, this being the case further market research should be a priority. Research and Development Better defined soils, local environment and farming systems suitable for Faba beans. Emphasis on disease management.
Concentration is in the Chapman Valley and is servicing a small human consumption export market.
Significant expansion of the industry will require development of larger export markets or the local stockfeed market and control of Anthracnose. The premium human consumption market is yet to be defined, however is likely to be limited. A split market could develop with a small percentage of product attracting a human consumption premium, while the majority of the crop is used in the animal feed market. It is probably fair to say that current prices being received by Albus producers, are sending out incorrect signals regarding the size of the human consumption export market. Production development Further research should be conducted into the feed qualities and size of offshore markets before the department pushes further Albus production too hard.