Overview of the market and consumption of pulses in Europe.

The human consumption of grain legumes and pulses in Europe and the EU is lower than in other regions of the world. However, there is a lot of variation between countries and an overall slight increase has been observed in recent years. The major trends in the EU pulse market are illustrated here with a specific focus on Spain, France and the UK, which account for about 60 % of the EU pulse consumption. The ways in which pulses are consumed are very different in the various EU countries, due to different regional food habits and traditions, and to differences in the supplies of grain legumes and the markets. Canned products dominate pulse sales compared with dry pulses sold in packets. Dry beans are the most consumed of the pulses in the EU, but the preference between species varies according to country. The factors limiting the consumption of pulses in the EU are mainly: an inadequate level of innovation for developing products adapted to modern life, a small home supply of pulses and competition from cheaper low-quality imports. Recently, however, consumers are favouring healthy and balanced vegetable diets. Pulses have significant nutritional and health advantages for consumers and their cultivation has a positive impact on agriculture and the environment. Therefore the trend in the consumption of pulses could change, especially if publicity about the benefits of pulses is improved and if the food industry and professional organizations take up the challenge to incorporate grain legumes in novel, convenient and healthy food products.