Black Beans

School meals/
England puts pulses on children’s plates every week

Beans, lentils and chickpeas are set to become a regular feature of school meals in England, with new standards requiring them at least once a week. The rules also expand their role as a protein source, including in vegetarian options. Published on September 14, the changes mark the first major update to England’s school food standards in more than a decade.

The global pea trade equation is changing/
North America bounces back as Russia competes and China's appetite returns

Mike Anderson, President of Anderson Northwest, shares his take on the North American pea market and the shifting dynamics between the big global players in 2026/27. He explains where stocks really stand after a summer of tight supply, why this harvest looks set to deliver after years of weather setbacks, and the quality edge that keeps one key Chinese market coming back for US peas time after time.

A US pinto and black bean outlook ahead of the 2026 harvest/
Historic acreage cuts, a stress-hit growing season, and grower prices soaring above last year

We sat down with Dylan Karley of North Dakota-based grower, North Central Commodities, to get his view of the US black and pinto crops as we head towards harvest. He discussed the scale of this year's cuts to acres, unfavorable July weather, and a pricing/export outlook diverging sharply from last year’s lows.

Why does plant-based get so expensive?/
What the protein transition can learn from the price gap

A recent review examining global prices of alternatives to animal-source products found that traditional, minimally processed plant-based foods — particularly pulses — are consistently among the lowest-cost options across markets. But many of the newer alternatives attracting investment and attention, including alt-meat and dairy, remain twice as expensive as their conventional animal-based counterparts. Can this price paradox be solved once and for all?

More pulses, a healthier heart/
New findings strengthen the case for higher intakes

170 g a day of peas, lentils, chickpeas and beans are linked to a significant reduction in the chances of developing hypertension, a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease—the world's leading cause of premature death, according to the WHO. With more than 1.4 billion people affected worldwide, the findings might support future dietary guidelines and public health policies encouraging higher pulse consumption.

Super El Niño 2026/
Can crops ride out the heavy wave coming their way?

Global players assess the preparations and potential impact of a so-called ‘super El Niño’ in 2026. From India’s plans for protecting supply to unpredictability in the US bean states and how Australia may sidestep the drought with punctual winter seedings, the race to stay ahead of the weather is underway — and no major pulse-producing region will be untouched by the challenge.

Pulses drive sustainable nutrition goals in the updated Planetary Health Diet/
The new EAT–Lancet index highlights lentils, beans, peas and chickpeas

A new scientific tool designed to measure adherence to the latest Planetary Health Diet recommendations reinforces the growing importance of pulses among the key food groups — for both human and planetary wellbeing.

GPC Awards at Pulses 26/
PURIS and Ardent Mills were recognised for their innovation and sustainability impact

From next-generation pea protein applications to regenerative chickpea programs and smarter shipping solutions, this year’s winners reflected the growing diversity of innovation shaping the future of pulses.

Pulse Atlas in focus/
US black and pinto acres continue downward slide

2025/26 has been a year of depressed prices for black beans and pintos, after strong production filled global pipelines and key demand zones cooled their interest. The downward pressure on prices is sure to have consequences for this year's US acres – but just how big will the drop be?

School meals/ England puts pulses on children’s plates every week

The global pea trade equation is changing/ North America bounces back as Russia competes and China's appetite returns

A US pinto and black bean outlook ahead of the 2026 harvest/ Historic acreage cuts, a stress-hit growing season, and grower prices soaring above last year

Why does plant-based get so expensive?/ What the protein transition can learn from the price gap

More pulses, a healthier heart/ New findings strengthen the case for higher intakes

Super El Niño 2026/ Can crops ride out the heavy wave coming their way?

Pulses drive sustainable nutrition goals in the updated Planetary Health Diet/ The new EAT–Lancet index highlights lentils, beans, peas and chickpeas

GPC Awards at Pulses 26/ PURIS and Ardent Mills were recognised for their innovation and sustainability impact

Pulse Atlas in focus/ US black and pinto acres continue downward slide