Pulse processing receives financial boost; Ontario pulse acres expected to increase this year

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

by MIKE BEAUDIN

A federal decision to invest $950,000 in research to identify new uses for pulse crops comes just as Ontario growers consider putting more of the legumes in the ground.

Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz announced this week a $950,000 investment in the Institute to boost the pulse sector's flour processing and milling capacity, according to a news release.

The funding continues to show the importance of further developing the pulse industry in Ontario, said Brian Hall, an edible bean and canola specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Rural Affairs and Agriculture.

Hall said Ontario now grows about 130,000 to 150,000 acres of pulses, mostly white beans, which is about 30 per cent more than five years ago. That amount is expected to increase this year, partly due to rising consumer demand for legumes, but also because Ontario growers link production to the price of soybeans and corn.

Given the current depressed prices for soybean and corn, more Ontario farmers will turn to pulses, he explained.

“When those prices pull back our acres go up. Edible beans don't trade like corn and soybeans,” he said. “Our market is a lot smaller. It works more like the vegetable crop industry where a lot of production is contracted. In Ontario, we probably have 90 per cent contracted acres here for dry beans.”

Although producers in Western Canada grow more pulses than Ontario farmers, a lot of important research, especially in the area of genetics and breeding, continues to be done in Ontario, added Hall.

Hall said the demand for pulse crops has grown in recent years because consumers want the health benefits of high-protein, high-fibre beans in their diets.

“We see a lot of interest and more demand for pulses. (The research) will be good for all pulse growers.”

The federal release said the funding would be used to develop innovative roller milling technology and pre- and post-milling techniques for the production of pulse flour for use in food products. The new technology is expected to increase the global market share for Canadian pulses, it said.

"Our government recognizes the importance of the pulse sector to Canada's economy.” Ritz said in the release.

In 2013, the pulse sector generated $1.7 billion in farm sales, and pulses represent Canada's third largest export crop after wheat and canola, with close to $2 billion in global sales, said the release. BF