In the next 30 years the world will need 60% more protein — and pulses are the only sustainable way to deliver against such global demand.
Pulses are a protein source with a very low water footprint. They are well-adapted to semi-arid conditions and can tolerate drought stress. Pulse crops also use water differently than other crops grown in rotation, extracting water from a shallower depth and leaving more water deep in the soil for the following year’s crops. Pulses respond well to low-till practices, helping sustain the rich, fertile topsoil of the Canadian prairies.
The production and use of nitrogen fertilizers are a significant contributor to the overall carbon footprint of agriculture. Pulses have a naturally lower carbon footprint than most foods because they require little to no nitrogen fertilizer to grow — soil bacteria convert nitrogen from the air into a usable form through symbiotic nitrogen fixation.
Pulses are a leading ingredient in the exploding market of meat alternatives. An emerging trend is blending plant and animal protein in a single product, significantly improving its footprint by lowering carbon emissions, using less water, and improving biodiversity.
Pulses produce compounds that feed soil microbes and benefit soil health. A healthy, diverse microbial community cycles nutrients more efficiently, crowds out disease-causing bacteria and fungi, and sequesters carbon in the soil — making for healthier, more sustainable plants.
Crops like wheat and barley produce higher yields and higher protein when grown after pulses, thanks to soil fertility, water and microbial benefits. One study estimated that including pulses in rotation with Canadian wheat contributed 1.3 MT of carbon emission savings — approximately 2% of the entire carbon footprint of Canadian agriculture.
Feed is a significant contributor to the environmental impact of livestock production. A life cycle analysis commissioned by Pulse Canada found that incorporating peas into pork rations reduced the carbon impact of the feed by 28%, and the overall emissions of the pork by 18%.
Learn how pulses lower carbon emissions by nearly 30% in the study commissioned by Pulse Canada.
The modern consumer often places sustainable practices at the top of their purchasing decisions. Transparency, traceability, nutritional density, low soil inputs, and regeneration are key — and we deliver against them all. Global demand for plant-based foods is soaring, and Belle Pulses has the capability and experience to meet that demand.
Whether it’s whole peas, faba beans, flours, fibers, or kibble — we do everything we can to maximize the value for our customers.
Or email us directly at sales@bellepulses.ca for sales inquiries.