5 Minutes With... Cindy Brown, President, Global Pulse Confederation

The Global Pulse Confederation (GPC) represents all segments of the pulse industry value chain – from growers, researchers, logistics suppliers, traders, exporters, and importers to government bodies, multilateral organizations, processors, canners, and consumers. Ahead of the launch of The Future of Food Production magazine, we thought we'd catch up with one of the interviewees in the pulses commodities focus in the first edition. Cindy Brown is GPC Board President and leads an Executive Committee of more than 30 international members.

What is your own background in the pulses sector?

I am the current President of the Global Pulse Confederation, a pulse industry association that represents the entire value chain from farm to fork. As well as that, I am the CEO of Chippewa Valley Bean, the largest producer and exporter of kidney beans in North America and the largest processor and exporter of red kidney beans in the world.  

How does growing pulses benefit the environment?

Pulses are nitrogen-fixing crops, which means that not only do they need lower amounts of fertilizer than other food crops, they also reduce fertilizer needs for other crops in the rotation. They also require significantly less water than livestock and even soy.  

In what ways do pulses contribute to food security?

Pulses are an affordable, nutritious, sustainable food source. They can be grown in almost every country in the world and, when combined with grains, they provide a complete source of protein. They provide farmers with a sustainable source of income as well as healthier soil.

What moves are there – or concerns even – about the future supply of pulse commodities meeting demand, particularly with the expected rise in alternative proteins to meat?

To make sure pulses can properly meet the food security needs of a growing population, it is critical that we keep global trade free and open. Education is also key; growers must understand how to grow pulses and the benefits they have for both their finances and their farms while consumers must understand how to cook and prepare them. At a national level, there are lots of fantastic initiatives dedicated to furthering these goals, from Pulse Canada to the USA Dry Pea and Lentil Council, Legume Chef and Allianza Leguminosas.

How have recent supply chain issues around the world affected global exports/imports?

All global trade has been significantly impacted by the logistics crisis, which has been exacerbated by the war in Ukraine. Shipping costs have gone through the roof and there have been huge delays at ports as well as massive difficulties obtaining containers. This has had a knock-on effect that will take some time to return to normal.

Shifting consumer preferences have led to declining shares of pulse consumption. This is despite increasing evidence of the nutrition and health benefits of pulse consumption. How can we address this?

It’s true that we are seeing a change in consumer preferences in developing countries, where people who typically got their protein from pulses want to eat a more Western diet that includes more meat. On the other hand, we are seeing a shift towards increased pulse consumption in developed countries in which populations are shifting their attention to a way of eating that is beneficial both to their health and the environment.

As I mentioned previously, education is key. At GPC, we have our own media outlet, the Pulse Pod, which is dedicated to educating the world about pulses. GPC worked with the UN FAO to set up the International Year of Pulses in 2016 and World Pulses Day, which occurs every year on 10 February. We also need engagement at a national level to ensure pulses can take their place as a fundamental part of future food systems.

What are the biggest challenges facing the global pulses sector? And in contrast to that, what are the opportunities?

We are in what I like to call a ‘fight for the dirt’ - competing with other crops to get growers to grow more pulses. Particularly now, with global prices for wheat and canola so high. That, and the container crisis as well as inflation causing rising food prices, are our biggest challenges.

When it comes to opportunities, there are so many! The amount of innovation and development in the value-added sector is incredible. Pulses are being used in myraid applications to provide sustainable, plant-based alternatives to animal products. There is also a wealth of research going into developing pulse seeds that are better equipped to combat food insecurity, varieties that are more drought-resistant, for example, or have a higher protein content.