May 1, 2025
Cyril Gallien of European grain and seed specialist RAGT breaks down what’s driving change in France’s pulse sector—from the push to preserve yellow peas to the shifting role of faba beans in local and export markets.
Yellow peas, once grown on 800,000 hectares in France, now face steep declines due to disease, heat stress, and market competition.
France is a country that consumes its own production of pulses. If there is any stock left over, it is exported normally to Europe or to China but pretty much no trade with the USA. There has been an effect of the tariffs on some other products but nothing in the pulse industry.
Aside from yellow peas and faba beans, France also grows a majority of green lentils (30,000–40,000 ha), kabuli chickpeas (24,000 ha), and lupins (5,000 ha), as of 2023. While yellow peas and fabas are exported due to surplus, the others are mainly grown for local consumption.
READ THE FULL ARTICLERAGT's Cyril Gallien highlights how policy incentives and farmer expertise are keeping France in the pulse game—despite mounting agronomic and market pressures.
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