As global demand for sustainable, plant-based protein rises, experts at the IGC Conference warn that without investment in productivity, research, and trade reliability, the pulses sector risks falling short of its potential to nourish a growing world.

At the 2025 International Grains Council (IGC) Conference in London, the Pulses Workshop brought together leading experts to examine the future of pulse crops in a world grappling with population growth, dietary shifts, and the urgency of building climate-resilient food systems. The panel featured Sudhakar Tomar, President of the India Middle East Agri Alliance (IMEAA); Filippo Roda, Senior Market Analyst and Markets Manager at Areté; Deepak Pareek, Managing Director and Chief Agriculture Economist at HnyB and Milan Shah, Board Member of the Global Pulses Confederation.

In a compelling opening, Sudhakar Tomar described pulses as the “superfood of commodities,” highlighting their unmatched value across nutrition, sustainability, and soil health. While global attention often fixates on wheat, maize, and soy, pulses are silently staging a transformation in global food and nutrition security. “They are not like wheat or coffee that dominate markets, but pulses are climate-resilient, low-carbon, non-GMO, allergen-free, and essential for regenerative agriculture,” he said.

Tomar noted that global pulse production has doubled over the past 50 years, reaching around 100 million tonnes today, with projections of 125 Mt by 2032. Trade volumes have increased tenfold—from 2 Mt in 1980 to over 21 Mt today—yet this still represents just 20% of total output. India remains both the largest producer and importer, while countries like Canada, Australia, Myanmar, and Russia dominate exports. China, once a net exporter, is now a growing importer.

PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION: FLAT GLOBALLY, RISING LOCALLY

Despite booming trade, global per capita consumption has fallen from 8–9 kg in the 1960s to 6–7 kg today, due to cereal-focused food security programs and population growth. However, health-conscious trends and plant-based diets are reviving demand in North America and Europe.

Tomar urged exporting nations to go beyond trade and help build local consumption ecosystems, especially in regions like South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. He also called on policymakers to incentivize pulse production through carbon credits and climate financing, reflecting their vital role in reducing emissions and improving soil health.

Deepak Pareek gave an in-depth analysis of India’s pulse sector. The country currently produces 24 Mt, consumes 28 Mt, and imports 7 Mt annually. By 2035, India may need to import 9–10 Mt, unless productivity improves significantly.

To address this, India is investing in:

• New high-yielding varieties, such as tur (pigeon pea) that can yield over 2 t/ha
• CRISPR-based genetic editing for drought tolerance and shorter growth cycles
• $300 million in R&D and infrastructure

Pareek forecast that by 2027, India will likely restrict pulse imports as self-sufficiency improves, particularly in pigeon pea. However, he emphasized that import policy and domestic productivity must evolve in parallel to avoid nutritional and economic shocks.

THE EU AND THE CHALLENGE OF SELF-SUFFICIENCY

Filippo Roda highlighted the stagnation of EU pulse production, which has declined by 5% in the last five years despite CAP incentives. Achieving supply-demand balance would require a 20–30% production increase—unlikely without displacing more profitable crops like wheat or sugar beet.

Structural challenges remain:

• Policy fragmentation across member states
• Limited land expansion potential
• Lack of targeted investment in pulse-specific R&D

Trade Distortions and the Case for Reliability

Milan Shah described the pulse sector as one of the most distorted in global agriculture, hampered by tariffs, subsidies, and unpredictable policies. “Reliability of demand drives reliability of supply,” he said, cautioning against inconsistent trade policies like sudden import restrictions, which disrupt producer confidence.

Shah emphasized the need for:

• Stronger R&D investment (currently less than $100 million globally for pulses vs. $20 billion for cereals)
• Stable, open trade frameworks
• Consumer education on pulses’ functional and nutritional value

Functional Foods and High-Value Applications

While bulk pulse trade remains centered on South Asia, Shah noted rising demand in the EU, North America, and East Asia for value-added pulse ingredients used in:

• Plant-based proteins
• Pet food
• Bakery and snack formulations

“Volumes may remain smaller in the West, but margins and market sophistication are growing fast,” he said.

A STRATEGIC CALL TO ACTION

All panelists agreed: the future of pulses hinges on coordinated policy, research investment, and responsible trade. Pulses offer a unique bridge between productivity and sustainability. “Pulses aren’t just crops,” Tomar concluded. “They’re a climate solution, a health solution, and an economic opportunity. Let’s invest in the protein-filled future of our food system.”