Pulse Flour Market - Forecasts from 2022 to 2027

The pulse flour market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 14.60% over the forecast period to reach a market size of US$57.729 billion in 2027 from US$22.24 billion in 2020.

Both traditional agriculture systems and modern food processing have taken into account the nutritional benefits imparted by pulses. They are inclusive of but not limited to the provision of complex carbohydrates, dietary fiber, minerals, phytochemicals, protein, as well as vitamins; they assist in reducing blood glucose, preventing chronic health issues like diabetes, heart diseases, and obesity, minimizing inflammation, lowering blood cholesterol as well as improving digestion. Currently, the average global per capita consumption is registered at about 8 kg/year, globally. Pulses are also known to play an important role during pregnancy in preventing fetal defects. Additionally, food formulated to wean infants from mothers’ milk can be enriched by adding certain types of pulse flours with flours derived from cereals, among others. Flours derived from pulses have also been an integral part of traditional cookery in countries like India, wherein 30% of the population is reportedly vegetarian. Among products about chickpeas, chickpea flour which is obtained by the milling of split grams in small quantities is utilized as a key ingredient in the preparation of several sweet as well as savory dishes and is widely consumed across the nation [Source: FAO]. The potential of pulse flours as the key ingredient in snacks and the primary means of protein enrichment is undeniable. Limagrain Céréales Ingrédients (LCI), in December 2018, reportedly upgraded its Nutrition and Taste & Colour solutions with a new range of organic pulse flours, which are available in three different raw materials: organic red lentils, organic green pea, organic chickpea. The functional flours in this range are reportedly treated to facilitate incorporation, minimize bitterness, and increase the shelf life of flours, concomitantly maintaining the nutritional benefits of pulses. The functional benefits of these flours are reportedly extended to a broad range of products inclusive of but not limited to ready meals, meat substitutes, gluten-free food, and baked goods, as well as aid in imparting color and flavor, improving texture and hydration. Earlier in August 2018, Bunge North America had reportedly expanded its product portfolio with clean label ingredients by adding lentil functional flour, derived from non-GMO lentils, which can reportedly act as a substitution for modified starches and simultaneously provide a range of nutritional benefits. Later in January 2019, the leading global provider of ingredient solutions to diversified industries, Ingredion (NYSE: INGR) had, reportedly announced its plans to expand manufacturing and production capabilities in Vanscoy, Saskatchewan, with Verdient Foods, Inc., which encompasses, among others, pulse-based flours derived from peas, lentils, fava beans. Further, the lockdown measures brought into force by various national governments had steered the consumers away from out-of-home consumption to at-home consumption, which led to an upswing in home baking activities. Along with the therapeutic benefits associated with the consumption of flour derived from pulses, the increasing trend of consuming gluten-free products due to incidences of Celiac diseases is also anticipated to positively influence the pulse flour market. Thus, to surmise, the aspects of nutritional benefits and product portfolio expansion, among others, are expected to augment the growth of the pulse flour market during the next few years.

Another factor that indirectly stems from the need to cater to the growing demand for human consumption is the necessity of quality animal feed to sustain and facilitate the growth of animal husbandry. Despite the economic hardships stemming from CIVID-19 along with logistical bottlenecks as well as a steep decline in demand as an outcome of the closure of food and beverage establishments, resulting which are partly responsible for the forecast of world total meat production to all in 2020 in the order of 333 million tons (carcass weight equivalent), 1.7 % lower than in 2019, the demand for meat and dairy products are expected to increase during the coming few years with the anticipated normalization of the global economy. Moreover, world milk production is expected to grow by 0.8 % to 859 million tons due to forecasted production expansions in Asia and North America and moderate increases in Central America and Oceania, the Caribbean, and Africa. In Asia, the output is expected to grow by 2% to 367 million tons in 2020. In India, the world’s largest milk producer, the output is forecast to grow by 2.6 percent, or 5 million tons, compared to the 4.5 percent growth recorded in 2019. In China, which has been registering a recovery from 2018 in the milk sector, the output of milk is estimated by approximately nearing 3% in 2020 compared to less than 1 % last year, amongst ongoing consolidation of farms and increased efficiency of largescale dairy units. More, with the government's introduction of stringent food safety standards, the confidence of consumers in Chinese milk has reportedly increased, which has helped to sustain growth [Source: FAO]. Thus, to sustain the supply of food and ensure food safety, feed safety is of utmost importance leading to the reinforcement of the recognition of feed as an integral part of the food chain. Thereby the demand for pulse flour is expected to be driven by the increasing need for quality animal feed.

The growing demand for plant-based alternatives and increasing shift towards veganism is also expected to drive the pulse flour market growth during the next few years. Certain market developments which are pertinent to the aforesaid are being mentioned below:

Key developments:

• Buhler teamed up with the Food Application Center (FAC) in Minnesota, where it will have discussions with food and feed industry customers, startups, academics, and other partners to develop long-term solutions for the North American market in 2020. Bühler also plans to use the new state-of-the-art application facility to transform raw material crops like pulses, ancient grains, beans, oats, and others into flours, snacks, extruded items, and even plant-based protein products.
• The Purity Protocol gluten-free oat components from Avena Foods announced the debut of Glyphosate Residue Free in August 2021, which is certified by The Detox Project. Glyphosate Residue Free Labeled products or ingredients contain less than 10 parts per billion of the herbicide.
• Uniflour 35501, a new heat-treated pea flour, was released by Limagrain Ingredient in 2021 to address the needs of calves and piglets for milk replacers.
• Ingredion debuted pulse-based ingredient solutions for plant-protein-based applications, including quick and ready-to-eat (RTE) goods, in 2021, featuring Homecraft Prista P 101 pea flour.
• ADM acquired WILD Flavours GmbH
• Artesa Textured Pulse Protein is a patented chickpea ingredient for plant-based meats that is a blend of Nutriati's Artesa chickpea flour and carefully selected yellow pea protein that is made according to Nutriati's strict final ingredient criteria.
• Batory Foods and BioHarvest Sciences Inc. signed an exclusive performance-based agreement in September 2021 to join the $16 billion US nutraceuticals market and the $8 billion US edible CBD market predicted for 2025. This cooperation intends to introduce Biofarming technologies and a product portfolio to the market.

COVID-19 Impact

The COVID-19 pandemic's influence on the pulse flour market was mostly defined by significant supply and demand disruptions, which caused challenges for all stakeholders, including consumers. In addition, the pandemic pushed up the price of pulse flour. For example, before the epidemic, the price of white urad dal flour in India was USD 1.21/kg, but it rose to roughly USD 1.27/kg during the pandemic. Furthermore, labor shortages at mills were a major factor in the increase in pulse flour prices, which was exacerbated by higher transportation costs for both raw materials and milled flour. As a result, food grain prices, especially flours and pulses, have risen by 15-20% in many nations.

Segmentation

By Type

• Beans
• Chickpeas
• Lentils
• Peas

By Cultivation Type

• Conventional
• Organic

By Application

• Food and Beverages
• Bakery
• Extruded snacks
• Beverages
• Pet food
• Animal feed

By geography

• North America
• USA
• Canada
• Mexico
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Europe
• Germany
• Spain
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• France
• Middle East and Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• South Africa
• Asia Pacific
• China
• Japan
• Australia
• India
• South Korea
• Indonesia