ROTTERDAM, THE NETHERLANDS — Louis Dreyfus Co. (LDC) has created a business unit dedicated to global pulses commercialization, a move the global merchant and processor of agricultural goods said is part of its strategic growth plans to reinforce core merchandising activities and diversify into new business lines.

Counting over 100 different types of pulses — including beans, peas, chickpeas, lentils and other categories — pulses are staples that increasingly are consumed globally, in particular in major importing markets in the Indian subcontinent, China and the Middle East. 

Global production is expected to reach 98 million tonnes by 2032, and traded volumes to exceed 23 million tonnes, to meet this demand, especially from key export markets such as Australia, Canada and East Africa.

“Pulses have gained prominence as a primary source of plant-based proteins and are also an ally for sustainable agriculture, as crops with properties that improve soil health and reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions,” said Michael Gelchie, chief executive officer of LDC. “The decision to establish this new business unit is therefore fully aligned with our strategy to meet evolving nutritional and sustainability expectations from customers, reflected in both global production and demand growth.”

He added, “Pulses also present geographic and operational synergies with LDC’s existing business activities and, as such, have the potential to contribute significantly to earnings, leveraging our already strong research, trading and risk management capabilities.”

Saurabh Bhartia will lead the new global unit, joining LDC as head of trading for Pulses.

“Building on LDC’s presence in key production and consumption markets, our new Pulses business unit will initially focus on yellow peas, chickpeas, red lentils, fava beans and pigeon peas, capitalizing on our established domestic trading presence in key origination and destination markets around the world — in particular, our origination capabilities in key producing regions of Australia and Canada, as well as our trading presence in India, Pakistan and Bangladesh — which positions us well to serve these major consumption hubs,” said Rubens Marques, head of South & Southeast Asia for LDC.