HOMEAfter a promising pilot project launched in 2022 with around ten farmers, the benefits of producing dried chickpeas, lentils and beans have been confirmed: one year after Euralis launched its pulse sector in partnership with Bonduelle, almost 1,000 hectares have been put into production by 115 farmers. This sector is part of the government’s food sovereignty policy. It also responds to growing consumer interest in plant proteins and products grown and processed in France. Farmers in the Euralis cooperative region have clearly understood the benefits of this diversification.
From the very first discussions with farm advisors in the field, farmers have shown a keen interest in the new pulse sector proposed in partnership with Bonduelle, the cooperative’s long-standing partner for sweetcorn and green bean production. “For farmers throughout our cooperative region, this is an opportunity to diversify their income and have a guaranteed market outlet,” explained Thierry Cauhapé, Head of Specialist Production at Euralis. “Growing pulses also has the advantage of requiring fewer input products and is less water-intensive. This enables farmers to manage their water resources more effectively by diverting irrigation to crops that consume more water.”
Customised support
Euralis and Bonduelle have joined forces to support farmers throughout the season. A dozen information meetings were organised at the start of the campaign to share key figures on the pulse market and discuss contracts, support, crop management and the economic and agronomic advantages of this new sector. Bonduelle provides technical monitoring of crops from sowing to the harvest. At the same time, if farmers so wish, Euralis can offer an overall review of the crop rotation (crop strategy, technical and economic projections, etc.).
More than 1,000 hectares of pulses produced
A total of 115 farmers are involved in the new sector (30 chickpea farmers, 40 lentil farmers and 45 dry bean farmers), which produces almost 1,000 hectares. Together, they represent the entire cooperative region. These pulses can be rotated with other crops, in particular small grains, sunflower, sorghum and maize. Lentils and chickpeas will be harvested in the coming weeks, and dried beans in September. Overall, the volume of pulses collected is expected to be around 1,500 tonnes. After harvesting, the pulses are sorted at Lidea in Francescas, Lot-et-Garonne, Southwest France, before being collected and canned at the Bonduelle factory.
A sector in line with the Agricultural Division’s development strategy
This sector is part of the Agricultural Division’s contractual approach. It also reflects Euralis’s desire to move towards production that respects the planet and is in line with current societal trends. The pulse sector is booming in France.
TESTIMONIAL – Guillaume Saintignan, farmer and Euralis board member
“My farm is located in Lussan-Adilhac, Southwest France. I grow a variety of crops: soft wheat, rapeseed, sunflower, alfalfa and, since this year, chickpeas (9 hectares) and lentils (4 hectares). I got involved in this pulse sector because I have a guaranteed market outlet via a production contract with the Euralis cooperative, which organised this partnership with Bonduelle. It safeguards my production so I know where I’m going. What’s more, these two crops require few input products (in line with the new CAP) and are not very water-intensive. Lastly, getting involved in the pulse sector means I can diversify my crop rotation and add an extra crop into the mix. I’d also like to stress that I benefit from high-quality support: Bonduelle’s technicians visit my plot every fortnight. I don’t know much about growing pulses, so it’s important and reassuring to feel supported.”