Miller Magazine Issue: 128 August 2020

52 MILLER / August 2020 Pulses are considered as a superfood owing to the presence of high levels of dietary fiber, vi- tamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and complex carbohydrates. Apart from the nutritional ben- efits, pulses also assist in improving digestion, reducing blood glucose, minimizing inflamma- tion, lowering blood cholesterol, and prevent- ing chronic health issues such as diabetes, heart diseases, and obesity. However, their consump- tion differs from region to region depending on the dietary patterns, availability, and prevailing conditions. The global pulses market grew at a CAGR of 6% during 2014-2019. I can mark several global pulses market driv- ers: pulses can be processed into different forms such as whole, split, pulses flours, and pulse frac- tions like protein, starch, and fiber. The flour and fractions find diverse applications in industries like meat and snack food, bakery, beverages, and breading. Pulses are now increasingly being used in the processing of ready-to-eat food prod- ucts. As a result of rapid urbanization, chang- ing lifestyles and hectic work schedules, healthy snack foods are becoming popular amongst the working population. As the global population is rapidly increasing, the gap between the de- mand and supply of pulses is widening. In order to minimize this difference, the governments of pulses-producing countries are providing assis- tance to the farmers, in turn, strengthening the growth of the market. As pulses are associated As unfortunate as all the human stories are, the COVID-19 pandemic has ignited a very busy shipping period and I think this increase in demand will remain for the balance of the year. During this time of uncertainty, I think many consumers will favor cheaper proteins that can be stored and feed families for longer periods of time. There will also likely be even more household discussion and introduction of pulses and pulse foods into everyday diets. A boom time for the pulse industry Denis Plenkin Agricultural Commodity Broker Agropa Trading dplenkin@agropatrading.com