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Pulses are an essential dietary component for millions globally due to their high protein and nutritional content. Healthy Australian pulses are in demand across the world and include lentil, faba bean, field pea, chickpea, lupin and mung bean.
Australian pulses are nutrient-rich foods, containing healthy fibre, protein, carbohydrates, and other minerals and nutrients. Evidence demonstrates that eating pulses is associated with a reduced risk of a range of diseases.
In Australia, clean growing environments, good crop management and care in handling and processing ensure quality, safe and clean, food-grade pulses for consumers.
Lentils, lupins, chickpeas, faba beans, and field peas are the major pulse crops grown across Australia’s grainbelt, producing over 3 million metric tonnes annually from 2 million hectares of growing area.
Australian pulses are highly regarded for their:
Pulses are universally recommended as part of a healthy diet and feature prominently in some of the world’s healthiest diets and oldest food cultures. Popular uses for Australian pulses include canning, split or dahl, noodles, snack foods, fermented foods, flour, soups, curries, casseroles and salads.
Australian pulses are nutrient-rich foods, containing dietary fibre, protein, carbohydrates (mostly low glycemic index) as well as phytonutrients, B-group vitamins and minerals such as iron, zinc, calcium and magnesium. The evidence consistently shows higher intakes of pulses are associated with a reduced risk of obesity and chronic diseases including heart disease, type 2 diabetes and some cancers.
Pulses have huge potential to improve the diets of people and promote the health of populations globally.
The Grains & Legumes Nutrition Council (GLNC) is the independent authority on the nutrition and health benefits of grains and legumes. GLNC operates within Australia and collaborates with partners to promote grains and legumes (pulses) nutrition as part of a balanced diet through evidence-based information.
Australia’s major pulse crops – lentils, lupins, chickpeas, faba beans and field peas – are grown across Australia’s grainbelt. On average, Australia produces over 3mmt of pulses across 2 million hectares.
Australian pulse growers operate in one of the cleanest environments in the world, using state of the art farming techniques to produce clean, dry, high quality pulses that meet customer requirements.
Lentils are generally the largest pulse crop on average at 1.1mmt, followed by lupins (0.8mmt), chickpeas (0.65mmt), faba beans (0.55mmt) and field peas (0.28mmt). Other Australian pulse crops include adzuki beans, cow peas and black beans, and the grain legume vetch.
South Australia, Western Australia and Victoria are the largest pulse producing states on average.
Australian pulses are highly nutritious and are in demand around the world, especially in South Asian markets including Bangladesh, India and Pakistan.
About 80% of Australia’s total pulse production is exported each year on average. About 50% of Australia’s pulse exports go to South Asia.
Australia invests significantly in the development of pulse crops that meet the quality requirements of international customers. Public and private plant breeders, agricultural researchers, agronomists and chemists work closely with processors and marketers ensuring the current high quality of Australian pulses is maintained and further improved with new varieties.
Grains Australia’s Pulse Council provides strategic advice to the Grains Australia Board on pulse industry matters. Grains Australia manages classification, market access, market insights and market education on behalf of the Australian pulse industry.
The Australian grains industry and grain growers are committed to supplying pulses with high quality, nutritional attributes. Australian pulse standards ensure Australia is held in high regard as one of the cleanest environments in the world, delivering safe food-grade grains. The standards, managed by Grain Trade Australia, cover characteristics such as purity, moisture content, percentage of defective seed, poor colour seed, foreign material and other factors.
AEGIC is conducting innovative research into expanding the use of Australian pulses as a source of plant protein.
Using AEGIC’s processing methods, pulse protein concentrates made from pulses can be used in many products, including protein powders, plant-based meats, breads, noodles, animal feed pellets and more.
AEGIC builds strong relationships with industry stakeholders, who recognise the value we deliver, seek our expertise and invest in our projects. We collaborate with a range of industry partners to increase value across the Australian grains supply chain.
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