Pulse

Pulses represent a global industry worth over US$ 100 billion at the retail level, underpinned by 81 million tons of production which is exported to over 55 countries. The global volume of pulses production has increased gradually in the last 25 years, from 56.48 million tons in 1991 to 81.80 million tons in 2016. The world production of pulses is dominated by a few countries which include India (21.47%), Canada (10.03%), China (5.19 %), Myanmar (8.03%) and Nigeria (3.78%), which together account for more than half of the world’s output. African origin pulses have gained significant importance in recent years.

Leading exporters of pulses, such as Canada and Myanmar, steadily increase the value of their exports while new suppliers such as Australia, the United Republic of Tanzania and the Russian Federation are also rapidly catching up. In general, Canada, Australia, Myanmar, USA, China, Argentina, Russian Federation, Turkey, Ethiopia and Indian are today’s world leading exporters of pulses.

Ethiopia is now one of the top ten producers of total pulses in the world, the second-largest producer of faba beans after China, and the fifth or sixth largest producer of chickpeas. In Ethiopia, pulses are the third-largest export crop following coffee and oil seeds. About twelve pulse species are grown in country. It grows throughout the country and account for 13% of cropped land and the production is concentrated in Amhara and Oromia regions, which together account for 87% of broad bean production, 95% of chickpea production, 77% of common bean production, 78% of field pea production and 93% of lentil production. Types of pulses which Ethiopia produces & export to the globe are white Pea Beans, Small red kidney beans, Chickpea (Desi & Kabuli), Faba Beans (Horse beans), Soya Beans, Green Mung Beans, Dark Red Kidney Beans (DRKB), Pinto Beans, Light & Red Speckled beans, Bitter Lupin & many others.

Currently, our company, Biftu Adugna Business S.C has been exporting Kidney beans (Red kidney beans, light speckled kidney beans, red speckled kidney beans), green mung beans, soyabeans, pea beans, chickpeas and other types of pulses depending on the buyers’ interest and market demand.

Pulse Types

Light speckled kidney bean is also called LSKB, pinto bean, rose coco bean, sugar bean or cranberry bean.

Mung bean is known locally as “Masho”. It is a new and emerging crop in Ethiopia with good results.

Glycine max, commonly known as soybean in North America or soya bean,

Chickpea is the most important pulse crop in Ethiopia. The bulk of the crop variety in the country is dominated by the sweet Desi type, and the Kabuli type is also grown in limited areas.

Haricot bean is one of the most important legumes grown in the lowlands of Ethiopia, particularly in the Rift Valley. In these area farmers grow white pea beans for export and home consumption.