Miller Magazine Issue: 143 November 2021

78 INTERVIEW MILLER / november 2021 One of the most crucial issues for the rapidly growing world population is how to feed the next generations. It is estimated that the world popu- lation will hit 9,5 billion in 2050 and the food de- mand of this population will increase by %60. This makes the production of pulses critical because they are one vital key to sustainable protein se- curity. Because pulses are nutrient-dense and a high-quality source of protein, they can help ad- dress the problems of hunger, malnutrition and obesity. Hopefully, the demand for pulses is on the rise. The food industry is turning to pulses to satisfy this demand. Plant-based foods are grow- ing in popularity. Ingredients made from pulses are increasingly being used in food products. We discussed the latest developments in the global pulse markets and major factors driving the market with Denis Plenkin, Director of Agro- pa Trading, an independent brokerage company specializing in agricultural commodities. Mr. Plenkin, could you please tell us a little bit about yourself and your company? My name is Denis Plenkin, I’m a director of Ag- ropa Trading. We act as cash commodity brokers and cover all the primary markets. Our main fo- cus is the commodity origination in the Black Sea region and destination business into Turkey, the Mediterranean Sea, the Caspian Sea, Europe, the Persian Gulf, and Asia. We deal with cereals, oil- seeds, oils, pulses, feedstuff, and coriander. Addi- tionally, to that, we contribute our market reports to Thompson Reuters (Refinitif). What are the major factors driving the global pulses market? Growth in the health-conscious population is a major factor contributing to the growth of the pulses market. As the climate has been changed and population growth, pulses are the key to sus- tainable food systems. Therefore, the food indus- try is turning to pulses to satisfy this demand. Growth in the health-conscious population is a major factor contributing to the growth of the pulses market. As the climate has been changed and population growth, puls- es are the key to sustainable food systems. Therefore, the food industry is turning to pulses to satisfy this demand. Food industry turns pulses to satisfy growing demand for plant-based food Denis Plenkin Director Agropa Trading