Pulses have strong growth potential – Rabobank

Although pulses remain a niche agricultural product with global production of around 100 million tonnes per year, they hold significant potential for expansion, according to a recent Rabobank report. The study highlights rising demand for pulses driven by their role in sustainable agriculture and their growing importance in plant-based diets.

Vito Martielli, Rabobank’s senior grains and oilseeds analyst, noted that pulses have become “a star in the push for sustainable agriculture,” thanks to their natural ability to improve soil fertility and absorb greenhouse gases. The main pulse crops — chickpeas, dry peas, and lentils — account for about 40% of total world output.

India dominates chickpea production, while Russia, the United States, Canada, the European Union, and Ukraine are key producers of dry peas. According to the International Grains Council (IGC), dry peas, lentils, and chickpeas together represent about 68% of global pulse trade.

New players are emerging in the global pulse market. Russia is expanding its share of dry pea exports, Egypt has become the largest importer of fava beans, Argentina is strengthening its position in bean exports, and Turkey is developing into a major processing and distribution hub for the Middle East and North Africa.

Since 2015, global pulse trade has grown by 29%, reaching around 21 million tonnes in 2024 — roughly 20% of total production. While this remains modest compared to wheat trade (about 210 million tonnes), Rabobank attributes the steady growth to two main drivers: increased consumption in developing countries, where pulses serve as an affordable protein source, and rising demand in developed markets for plant-based meat and dairy substitutes.

Beyond nutrition, pulses deliver strong environmental benefits. They fix nitrogen naturally, helping restore soil fertility, improve structure, increase water retention, and reduce carbon emissions. Their deep root systems and microbial activity make them ideal rotational and cover crops that enhance biodiversity and long-term soil health.

However, the industry still faces key challenges. Rabobank notes that volatile prices, limited market transparency, and a lack of reliable global data hinder investment. The report stresses that improving market visibility and standardizing trade information are essential to unlocking the full potential of the pulse sector.

A major step forward came in 2021 when the International Grains Council officially included pulses in its definition of “grains,” adding production and trade data for peas, lentils, and chickpeas to its bi-monthly Grain Market Report. This move, the IGC said, aimed to “enhance market transparency and global cooperation” for food security.

Leading agribusinesses are increasingly investing in pulse production and processing, including ADM, Bunge, Cargill, Columbia Grain International, Redwood, and Germany’s Müller’s Mühle. In August 2025, Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) became the latest to launch a dedicated business unit focused on pulse commercialization.

LDC CEO Michael Gelchie said pulses “offer strong geographic and operational synergies with our existing business activities” and are expected to contribute meaningfully to company earnings. He added that LDC is already active in key pulse-growing regions such as Australia, Canada, and East Africa, as well as major consumer markets like India, China, and the Middle East, signaling that pulses are transitioning from a niche crop into a truly global agri-commodity.

Tags: chickpea