*When grown in a rotation with wheat and canola
Canada’s pulse industry is a global powerhouse—advancing economic prosperity and environmental stewardship as a leading exporter of peas, lentils, chickpeas, and dry beans. With millions of acres harvested each year, pulses contribute significantly to Canada’s economy while playing a vital role in advancing sustainable agriculture.
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QUICK FACTS
THE CANADIAN PULSE INDUSTRY
- Canada is one of the world's largest producers and exporters of pulse crops, including lentils, peas, chickpeas, dry beans and faba beans.
- An average of 8.3 million acres of pulses are grown in Canada every year, primarily in Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario.
- Approximately 5.5 million tonnes of pulses are exported from Canada annually, feeding markets around the globe.
- In 2021, pulse production contributed $6.3 Billion to Canada’s economy, including $3.1 billion in GDP.
- Canadian-grown pulses reduced carbon emissions by 1.7 million tonnes* in 2021.
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Driving Economic Growth
Pulses play a vital role in Canada’s agri-food sector and broader economy. With an incredible economic benefit, it’s no wonder that pulse acres continue to increase. In 2021 the estimated 8.8 million acres of Canadian pulses contributed:
$6.3B
to Canada’s economy$3.1B
to Canada’s GDP25,907
canadian jobs
Impacting The Environment
Pulse crops are natural nitrogen fixers—they draw nitrogen from the atmosphere, reducing the need for nitrogen fertilizers and lowering greenhouse gas emissions associated with crop production. Thanks to our modern production practices and cool dry climate, the pulses grown in Canada are particularly sustainable.
Environmental Impact by Pulse Crop
The sustainability benefits of Canadian pulses aren’t theoretical—they’re proven. In 2022, Pulse Canada released an Economic and Environmental Impact Report detailing how pulses are helping to build a better food system from the ground up.
In 2021 alone, Canadian pulses made a measurable impact on carbon emissions:
| Pulse | Acres Grown in Canada | CO₂ Reduced* (Tonnes) | Impact Equivalent | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peas | 3.8M | 1.6M | Removing 363,600 cars from the road | |
| Lentils | 4.3M | 1.7M | Offsetting the electricity for every dwelling in Winnipeg for 1 year | |
| Chickpeas | 183K | 63K | Carbon sequestered by 1 million tree seedlings over 10 years | |
| Faba Beans | 124K | 51K | Enough to charge over 6 billion smartphones | |
| Dry Beans | 426K | 133K | Emissions avoided by running 36 wind turbines for 1 year |
* expressed as carbon dioxide equivalents
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does Canada export pulses?
Canadian pulses are shipped to over 120 countries globally. Key markets include India, China, the UAE, Bangladesh, Turkey, the U.S., the United Kingdom, and countries in the European Union and North Africa.
What is the outlook for Canadian pulse acres in the coming years?
While year-to-year acreage shifts based on markets and rotations, the overall outlook is strong with acres expected to stay stable or increase.
What makes Canadian pulses different from those grown elsewhere?
Canadian pulses are recognized globally for their consistent quality, reliable supply, and proven sustainability.
- Modern, sustainable practices: Canadian growers widely use no-till farming, crop rotation, and precision agriculture to reduce emissions and support long-term soil health.
- A climate advantage: Canada’s dry, cool climate naturally supports lower-emission production and even stores carbon in the soil—advantages that translate into a smaller carbon footprint compared to other regions
- Research leadership: Canada is a global research hub for pulses, with national investment focused on understanding and improving crop quality, processing, performance, and sustainability across the value chain.
This combination makes Canadian pulses a uniquely strong choice for buyers and food innovators around the world.
Learn more about the science behind pulse sustainability >
How is the industry helping pulse growers improve on-farm performance?
Through the Pulse Science Research Cluster, the pulse sector is investing in research to help address agronomic challenges, improve environmental impacts, and maximize profitability for growers.
Some key research areas include:
- Root rot management: New diagnostic tools and biocontrol strategies to help farmers detect and manage the disease more effectively
- Improved variety development: Exploring new tools for pulse variety development such as drone technology to create varieties with improved production efficiency and profitability
- Enhanced performance and resilience: Improving genetics and production practices to enhance pulse resilience to environmental stress, pests, and disease
What's being done to ensure long-term demand for Canadian pulses?
Maintaining long-term demand is key to protecting the economic value of pulse crops. The industry is working to expand market access, promote the benefits of pulses in new end uses and markets, and ensure Canadian pulses remain competitive on the world stage.
Explore how we're building demand through our strategic plan >
Canadian Pulses are some of the most sustainable crops in the world.
Canadian pulses improve our air, water and earth. Find out how these popular plant proteins contribute to building a better planet.