The Growth of Northwest Pulse Crops
Global demand for pulse crops such as peas, lentils, garbanzo beans (chickpeas), and other
beans, is mounting. Aside from the agronomic benefits offered by these nitrogen-fixing,
soil-building crops, pulse crops are now providing small-grain producers in the Northwest with
a strong, diverse income stream.
northwest pulse crops
fall 2017 12
Domestic demand comes as consumer options favor more plant proteins. However,
demand isn't limited to human consumption as pulse crops become more
commonly used in pet food. According to the USDA, per capita use of dry peas
and lentils spiked from a five-year average of one pound per person to 2.9
pounds per person in 2016.
Similarly, per capita use of dry beans (including
garbanzo beans) grew from an average of 6.3 pounds per person to 7 pounds per
person in 2016.
Export demand is driven by improving economic conditions and population
growth. Peas and lentils serve as less expensive substitutes for pulses grown
around the world. India is the largest single market for Northwest garbanzo
beans. The Northwest also exports pulses to Europe, Africa, South America,
Central America, Mexico and the Middle East.
Seeing an opportunity, Northwest producers are planting pulse crops, making them
an integral part of their small-grain crop rotations. Growth is staggering as produc-
ers nearly tripled pulse acres since 2008. Much of the growth is in garbanzo beans
and lentils. Northwest producers raised 154 percent more lentils and 121
percent more garbanzo bean acres in the last two years,
a period of challeng-
ing wheat and barley prices.
The Northwest has two key growing regions, both well positioned to serve domes-
tic and export markets. The Palouse region of Washington and Northern Idaho
represents 703,000 acres of pulse crops. Pulses such as garbanzo beans and lentils
are relatively new in Montana crop rotations. However, in 2017, Montana grew
nearly 1.8 million acres, up from 600,000 acres just five years ago.
3.5
3
2.5
2
1.5
1
0.5
0
2016 2017 2014 2015 2012 2011 2013
MILLIONS OF ACRES
TOTAL NORTHWEST
PULSE CROPS
(Peas, Lentils, Beans)
TOTAL PULSE CROPS
(By State)
MONTANA
WASHINGTON
IDAHO
OREGON
The term "pulse crops"
generally refers to legumes
harvested for dry seed.