Organizers of an international pulse conference say the fact it is being held in Canada this year is proof this country has become a major player in the centuries-old industry.
The International Pulse Trade and Industry Confederation has been holding biennial conventions since it was formed in 1964. This is the first time the convention will be held in Western Canada.
Pulse Canada president Les Rankin said Canada is “coming on like gangbusters” in the business. In a short while it has become the top exporter of peas, lentils and chickpeas in the world and is ranked four or five for beans.
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“There will be numerous groups that will be experiencing Canada and seeing first hand what we have to offer,” said Rankin.
The June 6-8 event in Vancouver has 540 people from 35 countries registered. That is nearly triple the number that attended the 1999 convention in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
“This is huge. This is very big for Canada. It’s an opportunity to profile what we can offer and essentially to profile Pulse Canada, which is co-hosting the event,” said Francois Catellier, executive director of the Canadian Special Crops Association.
The majority of participants will be from Canada, but there is also ample representation from the United States, Australia, Asia and Europe.
“It’s really a networking opportunity for the trade,” said Garth Patterson, executive director of Saskat-chewan Pulse Growers Association.
“It’s a chance for us to showcase our industry, network with the key traders and buyers, and further increase the interest in Canadian pulses.”
Many groups will be touring special crop handling facilities at the port of Vancouver.
A delegation from India will travel to Saskatchewan after the convention on a tour of the province sponsored by the pulse growers, Saskatchewan Agriculture, Pulse Canada and the Saskatchewan Trade and Export Partnership.
“They’ll be coming back here to look at our production and research facilities,” said Patterson.
Saskatchewan Agriculture special crops specialist Ray McVicar said it’s an opportunity for breeders at the Crop Development Centre to get direct feedback from customers.
“It gives us a chance to have potential new varieties or new pulse products looked at by the buyers to determine whether that’s what they want to buy or not.”
