Asia’s Pulse Trade: Resilient, Strategic, and Shifting Gears
- PYD
- Jun 27
- 2 min read
Amid global trade disruptions, pulses—peas, lentils, and chickpeas—have evolved from dietary staples into strategic commodities central to Asia’s food security and innovation agendas. With India and Bangladesh emerging as high-growth import markets and China diversifying its supply sources, the pulse trade has shown remarkable resilience despite tariff tensions between major powers like the US, China, and Canada.
Pulses: From Staple to Strategic Commodity
In Asia, pulses have taken center stage not only as nutritional essentials but as strategic levers in agricultural trade policy. Their high protein content, low cost, and minimal environmental impact make them essential to both consumer diets and national food agendas.
With growing consumer demand and climate-driven supply uncertainties, pulses have become a pillar of food innovation and supply chain planning across Asia.
Tariffs vs. Trade: The Pulse Sector Stays Resilient
Despite trade tensions—sparked by the Trump-era tariffs and the China-Canada diplomatic rift—the global pulse market has remained remarkably stable.
“US tariffs are expected to have limited impact on the pulse trade. Instead, it is weather uncertainties that will drive volatility,” said Lief Chiang, Executive Director at RaboResearch Food & Agribusiness, during Pulse 25 in Singapore.
Key figures from 2025 (UN COMTRADE & Rabobank):
Canada: 24% of global exports
Australia: 18%
Russia: 13%, boosted by Chinese demand
USA: ~1.2–1.5 million tonnes annually (minor role globally)
India, Bangladesh, and China Redefining Market Demand
India: Now the world’s largest pulse importer, accounting for 32% of total imports
China: 11%, shifting from Canada to Russia and Kazakhstan
Bangladesh & Pakistan: Each at 6%, showing steady growth
India, in particular, has reignited demand since 2024, with Canadian pulse exports to India jumping from 1.2 million to 2 million tonnes in just one year.
“India’s growing appetite has created new volumes for Canadian exporters, even as Chinese tariffs push trade toward Russia and Kazakhstan,” said Gaurav Jain of AgPulse Analytica.
China’s Strategic Diversification and the EU’s Struggles
While China once heavily relied on Canadian pulses, the 100% retaliatory tariffs—linked to the Meng Wanzhou case—forced a pivot toward Russia and Kazakhstan. This has reshaped Asia’s trade flows, opening space for Canada in South Asia.
Meanwhile, the EU faces a supply squeeze, caught between:
A 50% duty on Russian and Belarusian peas
Weak domestic production
Rising competition from China for Ukrainian supply
Are Tariffs More Political Than Practical?
Chiang suggests tariffs are being used less for economic protection and more as diplomatic weapons:
Trump’s tariffs aimed at foreign policy leverage
China’s actions a political signal, not a supply correction mechanism
Despite this, pulse trade volumes remain strong due to:
Long-term demand fundamentals
Supply chain agility
Market diversification across India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan
What to Watch in 2025–2026
As global trade continues to evolve, exporters and governments alike must stay agile. The winners will be those who:
Build deep partnerships in emerging South Asian markets
Invest in supply chain resilience
Remain adaptive to diplomatic shifts
“The big question now is whether India’s demand holds and whether Asia can offer more predictable, long-term buyers,” Jain concluded.
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