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MEXGLOBUS

Different varieties of pulses, Lentils, Beans, Peas and Chickpeas.

Pulses are classified according to characteristics like color, size, and shape, which are mainly influenced by two elements: the seed coat and the cotyledons (the seed leaves or core part of the pulse). Pulses are typically divided into four main categories: Lentils, Beans, Chickpeas, and Peas. Besides pulses, our Special Crops section also includes a range of other commodities such as Canola-Rapeseed, Mustard, Buckwheat, Soybeans, Sunflower, and Canary seeds.

PULSES

Lentils

Lentils are widely grown in Canada, especially in the prairie provinces of Saskatchewan (which produces 90% of the crop), Manitoba, and Alberta. These cool-season plants are well-adapted to high temperatures and drought, needing only 15-25 cm of rainfall for optimal growth. Lentil seed coats can range in color from clear to green, tan, brown, gray, blotched green, and black, while cotyledons may be yellow, red, or green.

From 2019 to 2023, Canada’s annual lentil exports averaged 2.1 million tonnes. For more details on the various types of lentils, continue reading.

Lentils, a type of pulses.

Chickpeas

Chickpeas, also known as Garbanzo beans, are a cool-season crop with notable drought resistance. Native to the Middle East, Canada cultivates two main varieties of chickpeas: Kabuli and Desi, with Kabuli being the predominant type. Canada produces approximately 186,000 tonnes of chickpeas annually, with Saskatchewan contributing around 85% of this total.

Over the past decade, global chickpea production has increased by 56%, and international trade has grown by 10% in both volume and value. The U.S. is the largest importer, purchasing 25% of the total, followed by Pakistan, Türkiye, UAE, and India. Additionally, demand from Europe has been rising in recent years. For more details on the various types of chickpeas, continue reading.

Chickpeas, a type of pulses.

Beans

Dry beans have been cultivated in Ontario, Canada, since the 1940s and expanded to Manitoba and Alberta in the 1980s. The Canadian cultivation area averages around 380,000 acres, with pinto, navy, and black beans being the most prevalent varieties. Dry beans are a major pulse crop worldwide. In the past decade, global production has grown by over 15%, with trade volumes increasing by 8% and total export value rising by 3%.
For faba beans, Alberta represents over half of the seeded area, while Saskatchewan accounts for about a third. Canadian faba beans come in both tannin and low-tannin varieties and are primarily marketed to the Mediterranean and Middle Eastern regions, with Egypt being the leading global buyer. For more information on the different types of beans, read on.

Beans, a type of pulses.

Peas

Canada is the world’s second-largest producer and leading exporter of peas. Saskatchewan leads the production, followed by Alberta. China remains the largest buyer of both yellow and green peas from Canada. Additionally, with the reduction of import tariffs, India has reemerged as a significant purchaser.
Recently, pea processing in Western Canada and the U.S. has expanded in response to the growing demand for plant-protein-based food products. Peas are also advantageous for soil health, as they help replenish nitrogen in the soil. For more details on the various types of peas, read on.

Peas, a type of pulses.
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