7 Reasons Why Pulses Export is a Great Business Opportunity
Pulses are edible seeds of leguminous plants such as beans, peas, lentils, and chickpeas. They are rich in protein, fiber, iron, and other nutrients, and have many health and environmental benefits. Pulses are also in high demand in the global market, especially in developing countries where they are a staple food. In this article, we will explore seven reasons why pulses export is a great business opportunity for entrepreneurs and farmers.
1. Pulses are resilient to climate change
Pulses can grow in diverse agro-ecological zones, from drylands to highlands. They can also withstand drought, heat, and salinity stress better than other crops. Pulses can also improve soil health by fixing nitrogen and enhancing soil organic matter. These traits make pulses more adaptable to the changing climate and more sustainable for the environment.
2. Pulses are profitable for farmers
Pulses have low input costs and high returns. They require less water, fertilizer, and pesticides than other crops, which reduces the production costs and the environmental impact. Pulses also have high market prices and demand, which increases the income and livelihood of farmers. Pulses can also be intercropped with cereals or other crops to diversify the production system and reduce the risk of crop failure.
3. Pulses are nutritious for consumers
Pulses are a good source of plant-based protein, which is essential for human health and development. Pulses also contain fiber, iron, folate, zinc, and other micronutrients that can prevent and treat various diseases such as anemia, diabetes, obesity, and cardiovascular diseases. Pulses are also gluten-free and suitable for people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
4. Pulses are versatile for food processing
Pulses can be processed into various forms such as flour, flakes, grits, starch, protein isolates, and concentrates. These products can be used to make different kinds of foods such as bread, pasta, noodles, snacks, beverages, meat alternatives, and dairy alternatives. Pulses can also be blended with other ingredients to enhance the nutritional value and sensory quality of foods.
5. Pulses are compatible with food safety standards
Pulses have low levels of anti-nutritional factors such as phytates, tannins, lectins, and enzyme inhibitors that can interfere with the digestion and absorption of nutrients. Pulses also have low levels of contaminants such as aflatoxins, pesticides residues, heavy metals, and microbial pathogens that can pose health risks to consumers. Pulses can be easily stored and transported without losing their quality and safety.
6. Pulses are compliant with trade regulations
Pulses have clear and harmonized standards for quality, grading, labeling, packaging, and certification that are recognized by the international trade organizations such as the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC), the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), and the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC). These standards facilitate the trade of pulses across countries and regions.
7. Pulses are aligned with global development goals
Pulses contribute to the achievement of several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations for 2030. These goals include ending hunger and malnutrition (SDG 2), promoting health and well-being (SDG 3), ensuring sustainable consumption and production (SDG 12), combating climate change (SDG 13), and fostering partnerships for development (SDG 17).
As you can see, pulses export is a great business opportunity that offers multiple benefits for producers, consumers, traders, and the planet.
Pulses Export: A Growing Industry
Pulses are edible seeds of leguminous plants, such as beans, peas, lentils, and chickpeas. They are a rich source of protein, fiber, iron, and other nutrients, and have many health and environmental benefits. Pulses are also an important crop for many farmers around the world, as they can improve soil fertility, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and increase crop diversity.
According to the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service, the U.S. pulses exports in 2022 totaled $666.27 million, with a compound average growth of -1.27% from 2013 to 2022. The top 10 markets for U.S. pulses in 2022 were Canada, the European Union, Mexico, Ethiopia, the Dominican Republic, the United Kingdom, Sudan, China, Yemen, and Costa Rica. The main types of pulses exported by the U.S. were dry peas, lentils, chickpeas, and beans.
Global Demand for Pulses: Trends and Challenges
The global demand for pulses has been increasing in recent years, driven by several factors such as population growth, urbanization, income growth, dietary diversification, health awareness, and environmental concerns. According to the USDA Economic Research Service, the global per capita consumption of pulses increased from 6.1 kg in 2013 to 6.5 kg in 2018, with the highest consumption levels in South Asia (13.8 kg), Sub-Saharan Africa (9.7 kg), and the Middle East and North Africa (8.4 kg).
However, the global supply of pulses has not been able to keep up with the growing demand, resulting in higher prices and trade imbalances. Some of the challenges facing the pulses industry include climate change, pests and diseases, low yields, lack of research and innovation, market access barriers, and policy uncertainties. For example, in 2023, India imposed a three-month export ban on olive oil and pulses due to domestic shortages and price inflation. India is the largest producer and consumer of pulses in the world, accounting for about 25% of global production and consumption.
Opportunities for Pulses Exporters: Strategies and Recommendations
Despite the challenges, there are also many opportunities for pulses exporters to tap into the growing global market. Some of the strategies and recommendations for pulses exporters include:
- Diversifying the product portfolio to offer different types of pulses (e.g., split or whole), forms (e.g., fresh or processed), and uses (e.g., food or feed).
- Expanding the market reach to new regions and countries with high demand potential (e.g., Africa or Asia) or niche segments (e.g., organic or gluten-free).
- Enhancing the product quality and safety to meet the standards and preferences of different buyers (e.g., color, size, moisture content, or pesticide residues).
- Improving the production efficiency and sustainability to reduce costs and environmental impacts (e.g., using improved seeds, irrigation systems, pest management practices, or crop rotation).
- Investing in research and development to innovate new products and technologies that can add value and differentiation (e.g., fortified or functional pulses, ready-to-eat meals or snacks, or biodegradable packaging).
- Building strong relationships with customers and stakeholders along the value chain to ensure trust, loyalty, and feedback (e.g., farmers, processors, traders, retailers, consumers, or government agencies).
By following these strategies and recommendations, pulses exporters can increase their competitiveness and profitability in the global market.
References:
http://faostat.fao.org/Portals/_Faostat/documents/pdf/FAOSTAT-Forestry-def-e.pdf
https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/FO/visualize
https://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/QCL/visualize
https://www.fas.usda.gov/data/commodities/pulse-crops
https://www.ers.usda.gov/data-products/vegetables-and-pulses-data/
https://www.fas.usda.gov/data/turkey-turkey-re-introduces-olive-oil-and-pulse-export-restrictions
https://globalpulses.com/
http://www.fao.org/pulses-2016/en/
http://www.intracen.org/pulses/
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