Mar 13, 2026
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India Mission Reinforces Strong Partnerships and Long-Term Market Opportunities
At a critical time for Canada–India trade, Pulse Canada was on the ground strengthening relationships and gathering insights to support long-term demand for Canadian pulses.
Mar 30, 2026
From March 1-5, 2026, Pulse Canada led a delegation to India alongside representatives from Alberta Pulse Growers, Saskatchewan Pulse Growers, and the Canadian Pulse and Special Crops Trade Association.
The visit came at a pivotal time. Canada and India have officially announced the launch of negotiations toward a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). In addition, the trip saw the creation of a Canada–India Pulse Protein Centre of Excellence. Both announcements signal renewed engagement and a shared interest in a more stable trading relationship.
Against that backdrop, the aim of the mission was to spend time on the ground with traditional customers, partners and decision-makers to better understand the market and strengthen the relationships that underpin Canada’s pulse exports AND to meet with new non-traditional players who will shape the future of the pulse partnership between Canada and India.
For Canadian farmers and exporters, that kind of face-to-face engagement matters.
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Strong Relationships are Critical for Market Access
Throughout the week, the delegation met with a wide range of stakeholders – from government officials and policy advisors to traders, millers, and food companies. A consistent message came through: Canada is seen as a reliable and valued partner who will continue to play an important role as India’s needs evolve.
Those relationships didn’t happen overnight. They’ve been built over decades through consistent supply, quality product and ongoing engagement. This mission was another step in maintaining that trust.
“These trips are about showing up and listening,” said Terry Youzwa, Chair of Pulse Canada. “When we sit down with customers and partners in India, it reinforces that Canada is committed for the long haul. That trust is what helps keep our product moving, even when the market gets complicated.”
That trust becomes especially important in a market like India, where policy decisions can shift based on domestic production, food prices and political priorities. Staying connected helps ensure Canadian interests are understood as those decisions are made.
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India Will Continue to Trade
While India is continuing its efforts to increase domestic production, one of the clearest takeaways from the mission was that India will continue to need imported pulses. Limited land, varying farm sizes and weather variability all provide challenges to fully meet demand at home. At the same time, India’s population continues to grow, and with it, the need for affordable, nutritious food.
Stakeholders indicated that India typically only holds a few months’ worth of pulse supply at any given time. That creates ongoing demand for imports, particularly when domestic crops fall short.
“When you look at the fundamentals, the demand is there,” said Shane Strydhorst, Vice-Chair of Pulse Canada. “Our job is to stay connected to the market so we can bring that signal back home. That helps farmers understand where the opportunities are – not just this year, but over the long term.”
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Policy Will Continue to Play a Big Role
Indian officials are balancing several priorities: supporting local farmers, keeping food affordable and ensuring enough supply. Tools like tariffs, government purchasing and stockpiling are used to manage that balance and the mission confirmed that government policy will continue to shape the pulse market.
These policies can lead to ups and downs in market access, reinforcing why ongoing dialogue is so important. Being present, listening and maintaining relationships helps ensure Canada remains part of the conversation.
Progress toward a potential trade agreement is encouraging, but it will require continued engagement to get there.
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Opportunities are Expanding Beyond Bulk Exports
The mission also highlighted how India’s food system is evolving and what that means for future pulse demand.
Demand for protein is growing, particularly in urban areas, alongside increased investment in food processing. Pulses are already a staple in many diets, but there is an opportunity to position them more clearly as a central ingredient – especially in products like ready-to-eat meals, snacks and fortified foods.
At the same time, large-scale public food programs – such as school meals and maternal nutrition initiatives, continue to rely on pulses as an affordable source of nutrition. That provides a steady base of demand.
For Canada, this opens the door for deeper collaboration with Indian companies and researchers on ingredients, processing and product development.
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Quality Still Matters
Meetings with buyers and processors reinforced something farmers already know: quality and consistency matter – and Canada has it.
Importers pointed to moisture levels, uniform size, and minimal damage as key factors that affect how pulses perform during processing. Given the long shipping times to India, maintaining that quality through the supply chain is critical.
Canada’s reputation in this area remains strong and it continues to be a competitive advantage.
Our job is to stay connected to the market so we can bring that signal back home. That helps farmers understand where the opportunities are – not just this year, but over the long term.
- Shane Strydhorst, Vice-Chair of Pulse Canada
Why This Work Matters
At its core, this mission was about making sure Canadian farmers stay connected to one of their most important markets.
It’s about understanding where demand is headed, keeping lines of communication open and working toward more stability over time. The relationships built with customers help keep Canadian pulses moving into India.
There’s no single moment that changes everything overnight. But consistent engagement like this adds up.
For farmers, that means continued access to a key market, better insight into where demand is heading and continued value returning to the farm gate.
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Pulse Canada is the national association of growers, traders and processors of Canadian pulses, also known as lentils, dry peas, beans and chickpeas. Pulses are an essential part of a healthy and sustainable diet. Pulses and pulse ingredients can help food manufacturers improve the nutritional and functional quality of food products.
