In his opening words at the Ask the Experts North America webinar, Murad Al-Katib of title sponsor AGT Foods, welcomed all participants to the conference and highlighted the importance position the North American regions hold in the global pulses market. He reiterated that his native Canada is a world leader in the production of high-quality peas, chickpeas, beans and lentils for markets around the globe but also underlined the complementary forces of the US and Mexico in providing chickpeas, beans and lentils.
Mr. Al-Katib nodded to the challenges the US and Canada regions have faced this year but added that despite this, he remains confident in the industry’s resilience when it comes to getting products to market.
He discussed the new and innovative uses for pulses and indicated that North America was set to be the first stop on the protein highway that will link to the Silk Road in Asia. He also underlined the fact that of the world’s scarcest resources, land and water, North America has an abundance. Consequently, he said, it is important that the region make the most out of its fortunate agricultural environment to produce renewable fuels and food products to feed the global population, which, he said, is expected to require the same amount of food over the next 40 years as was produced in the world in the last 10,000 years of civilisation.
Mr. Al-Katib ended by drawing attention to AGT’s R&D project, which is advancing the uses of pulses in new products, from pasta and flours to plant-based milks. He referenced a study he had read which showed that realising the full potential of the pulse inclusion in plant-based demand could result in an additional demand of 10 million metric tonnes by 2035. The possibilities for growth, he concluded, are very exciting and as the pulse sector evolves, it is becoming increasingly apparent that it is part of the solution to global hunger and the climate crisis.
Disclaimer: The opinions or views expressed in this publication are those of the authors or quoted persons. They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of the Global Pulse Confederation or its members.
