The major global producers of azuki beans are Japan, China, South Korea and Taiwan. The beans were first introduced to Australia in the 1970s and are produced in southern and central Queensland, the north coast of New South Wales and irrigated regions of southern and central New South Wales. It is a minor crop in Australia, on average producing less than 5,000 tonnes per year. Azuki beans are considered more demanding to produce than soybeans and mungbeans, and require more inputs than these crops.

Most of the beans produced in Australia are exported to volatile markets either in Japan, China or Taiwan where the beans are used to make a sweetened paste (ahn) that is made into a selection of products such as traditional confectionary (Wagashi), cakes and buns. A small proportion is used in the domestic market to produce similar products for the Asian community.

The azuki bean industry is very small in Australia and its operations are overseen by Pulse Australia, the peak industry body.

Facts and figures

• Azuki beans are a short season, summer pulse crop, they are a minor crop in Australia
• They are grown in southern and central Queensland, the north coast of New South Wales and irrigated regions of southern and central New South Wales

The beans are used to make several Japanese products which use a sweetened paste (ahn) that is then made into a selection of products such as traditional confectionary (Wagashi), cakes and buns.

Growing regions

Azuki beans are grown in southern and central Queensland, the north coast of New South Wales and irrigated regions of southern and central New South Wales. In New South Wales, the river valleys of the southern and central slopes are considered the best environments for growing azuki beans. Areas further west become too warm during crop maturity for growers to meet quality targets and cold tableland areas retard the growth of the beans.

Soil type

Azuki beans are shallow rooted and do not nodulate well, therefore they grow best on alluvial river soils and sandy loams, similar to soils preferred for lucerne production. If they are to be grown under irrigation, well-drained soils should be selected as they do not tolerate waterlogged conditions. Azuki beans do not perform well in heavy clays and these soil types are best avoided. Soils with a pH less than 5.5 (CaCl₂) should either be limed or avoided.

Climate

Azuki beans are a summer species and therefore do not tolerate frost. Minimum temperatures in the range of 10–14°C are recommended as ideal ripening conditions to promote large, pale azuki beans. If temperatures are consistently below 10°C it will slow plant development.

Varieties

Erimo, a variety of azuki bean bred in Japan, is the most commonly grown variety in Australia. There have been Australian varieties developed in the past: Bloodwood and Dainagon but there is little or no production of these types currently.

Planting and crop management

The germination percentage of sowing seed should be checked before planting and adjusted for the desired target plant population. As azuki beans are a legume they require inoculation with the appropriate rhizobium strain to enable them to fix atmospheric nitrogen for the plants use. Further nitrogen application has been shown to be of advantage as the beans are poor nodulators.

A successful azuki bean enterprise will require large-scale broadacre cropping machinery, including:

• tractors
• cultivation equipment
• seeder/disc drills
• boom sprayers for herbicide and insecticide application
• irrigation equipment and soil moisture monitoring equipment

Under the appropriate conditions azuki beans will mature quite quickly, however they tend to be indeterminate and may require desiccation or windrowing but most crops are direct headed. A conventional harvester can be used but rotary headers do a better job and will generally result in fewer cracked grains. Seed moisture at harvest needs to be about 20–25% to prevent the beans from splitting. Grain handling after harvesting should be minimised to reduce the risk of damaging the seed.

Most growers of azuki beans produce the bean on contract. The majority of the beans produced in Australia are exported to markets in Japan, China and Taiwan which are very volatile. A small amount is processed domestically for domestic consumption. The colour and lustre of the beans are important marketing characteristics.

Risks/challenges

As with all agricultural pursuits, risk is inherent in growing azuki beans and can include:

• the crop failing to establish or mature properly due to adverse weather events, thus resulting in reduced harvest tonnage and/or poor quality product
• commodity prices failing during the growth period impacting on the returns projected at planting
• not recouping the costs of inputs and capital invested in the crop, like fertiliser or the cost of running large equipment if the crop fails.

The major risk that growers entering the azuki bean market face is access to correct production information and they are encouraged to discuss their interests with an experienced azuki bean agronomist. Access to registered herbicides for azuki beans is another area of challenge for growers.

The markets for azuki beans are very volatile and growers are encouraged to produce beans under contract.

Publications/information

Azuki beans: irrigated planting guide 2004–2005 NSW Department of Primary Industry publication (2005)

The New Crop Industries Handbook RIRDC publication (2004)

Pulse Australia

Grain Producers Australia

GrainGrowers