The current pulses market environment
26 Nov 2018 | American Pulse Association
Pulses are taking center stage. In 2018, nearly 12 percent of all new global ready meal launches tracked by Innova Market Insights feature pulses. For example, Pedon (Italy) won the SIAL Innovation Award in the savory category with their introduction of rice-shaped pulses at SIAL 2018. Tim McGreevy of the American Pulse Association discusses the current market environment and opportunities in Europe for American pulse products.
Wires at the CL in Paris and I'm here with Tim McGreevy, who is the CEO of the American Pulse Association.
Tim, big trend towards plant-based diets, a lot going on in that regard.
Where do you see opportunities for pulses?
I think the big opportunities is in the plant-based diets.
Pulses are an inexpensive protein that is absolutely taking the plant-based food by storm.
So you know we're an indisp option.
We're healthy, nutritious, and the trends are in our favor for sure.
The young people are driving towards more really healthy and nutritious and delicious plant-based foods, and we peas, lentils, chickpeas, and dry beans really have a place in that market.
What type of applications do you really see opportunities in?
You know, surprisingly, what's really happened in this space of innovation is in meat alternatives.
And so you go to the meat aisle in hallway 6 and you look at some of the more clever marketing campaigns that are happening in that hall, and it's about the meatless plant-based alternatives.
Burgers and ground beef using entirely plant-based foods which include pulses.
You've been seeing this as.
You're, you know, the, the trend data shows that this market in plant-based foods and meats is growing between 5 and 10% a year, and that's even reflected here at CA.
We're also seeing this in beverages, especially with milk alternatives.
We're seeing growth, growth from 5 to 6% in plant-based beverages as.
So this is definitely a growing market and pulses are right in the center of it.
You promoting yourself a lot for European markets here at the event.
Where do you see opportunities for growth in Europe?
You know, I really think the big opportunities for growth are in the ingredient market.
We also, of course, have high quality whole pulses of peas, lentils, chickpeas.
We have a little bit of problem with beans right now because of the steel and aluminum tariffs and the retaliation with the EU and the United States, but that will resolve itself eventually.
And we're a big player in this market.
Confident of the outlook despite some of this turbulence that's happening?
Obviously, as someone who exports a lot of products, certainly the Americans export a lot of their pulses, and Europe is a big market for us.
It's been disappointing, but we hope it gets resolved soon.
Thank you very much.
Thank you.
