Chickpeas in India. (Nikhil Patil/iStock/Getty Images)

Pulse weekly outlook: Conditions optimal for India’s winter crops

MarketsFarm — Cold weather in key growing regions of India could indicate high production levels for winter pulse crops. Heavy showers and colder temperatures in Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh created “ideal conditions” for winter-sown pulses, according to India’s agriculture commissioner SK Malhotra. Malhotra explained that the output of the winter-grown pulse crops will likely […] Read more

Lentils are one of the plant-based proteins growing in popularity for processing.

Growing pains in the plant protein marketplace

Labelling and supply are issues as plant protein production grows

The next step in research and development of plant-based proteins is bringing ingredients into the kitchens of home-based cooks. However, major challenges remain, including labelling, consistency of supply for raw ingredients, and the regulatory framework around fortification of vitamins. Those were among the messages delivered on Jan. 29 by Leslie Ewing, executive director of Plant-Based […] Read more

A chickpea crop in India. (Nikhil Patil/iStock/Getty Images)

Pulse weekly outlook: India aims to boost production

MarketsFarm — The window of opportunity for Canadian pulses to be exported to India may rapidly be closing, according to a recent announcement from India’s agriculture minister. At a World Pulses Day event on Monday, Narendra Singh Tomar said the country is on track to self-sufficiency. Last year, the country consumed about 27 million tonnes […] Read more

File photo of a pea crop south of Ethelton, Sask. on Aug. 1, 2019. (Dave Bedard photo)

Pulse Canada looking to build data inventory for industry

MarketsFarm — Pulse Canada has undertaken a survey of pea and lentil growers to gauge the sector’s environmental footprint and to provide data for a public repository. The survey is a joint project with Alberta Pulse Growers, SaskPulse and Manitoba Pulse and Soybean Growers. The survey is a life cycle assessment of pea and lentil […] Read more



File photo of a pea crop south of Ethelton, Sask. on Aug. 1, 2019. (Dave Bedard photo)

Rising protein demand expected in 2020

Canada able to serve both plant- and animal-based protein markets

MarketsFarm — Demand for plant- and animal-based proteins alike is likely to increase in the coming year. Since 2017, pea protein demand increased by about 13 per cent, Craig Klemmer, chief agriculture economist at Farm Credit Canada, said at Ag Days in Brandon, Man. Over the same time period, demand for canola protein increased by […] Read more


(Video screengrab from Limagrain.com)

Limagrain to launch plant-based protein food next year

Paris | Reuters — French agricultural co-operative Limagrain on Tuesday said it is launching a new legumes business that aims to deliver plant-based food products from next year, betting on the fast-growing plant protein sector and a trend towards eating less red meat. Many large agricultural companies, including Archer Daniels Midland, Cargill and France’s Roquette […] Read more


File photo of fields during monsoon in India. (Shubham Singh/iStock/Getty Images)

Pulse weekly outlook: India pulse estimates improve

MarketsFarm — Conditions are still not looking good for India’s kharif (summer) production, and in particular for pulse crops. Excessive monsoon rains, followed by above-average post-monsoon rains, have hurt production, according to a report. The excessive rains resulted in flooding in 13 states in India and the National Bulk Handling Corp. (NBHC) estimated Monday that […] Read more

Green lentils. (Savany/iStock/Getty Images)

Pulse weekly outlook: Balance sheet tightening

MarketsFarm — Canadian pea and lentil production failed to live up to earlier projections, according to the latest survey data from Statistics Canada. While both crops are still forecast to be above their year-ago levels, the tightening supply expectations should underpin prices. Canada’s 2019-20 lentil crop was pegged at 2.17 million tonnes in the government […] Read more