Global Pulse Industry Meets in Orlando as Demand Grows for U.S. Crops
May 12, 2026
Global pulse industry leaders gathered this week in Orlando for Pulses 26, bringing together growers, exporters, processors, logistics companies, and international buyers from around the world.
Monday’s events included the USA Pulses Summit, hosted by USA Pulses, with industry leaders discussing growing demand for pulse crops and the challenges facing global trade.
Jeff Winkler, chairman of the USA Pulses Trade Association and a Montana producer, says having the international pulse industry gathered on U.S. soil is a major opportunity for American agriculture.
“As chairman of the USA Pulses Trade Association, we represent all of the interests from the traders, processors, exporters, even including freight companies, packagers, logistics,” Winkler said. “To have everyone from the global pulse industry here on U.S. soil is huge.”
Pulse crops—including peas, lentils, chickpeas, and beans—continue seeing strong demand worldwide due to their nutritional benefits and growing popularity among consumers.
“Pulses themselves are an extremely high-fiber, high-protein, plant-based food, which is extremely popular right now among dietitians and society in general,” Winkler explained.
Winkler says U.S. pulse crops continue earning a premium reputation because of quality standards throughout the supply chain.
“U.S. pulses specifically are in high demand both here and around the world because of the quality,” he said. “Our farmers, our processors, our handlers—all the way down to our environmental conditions—everybody’s paying attention because everybody wants a good product.”
International buyers attending the conference echoed those comments.
Hadi Doni with the Honi Group in Pakistan says the event helps companies strengthen relationships with suppliers they work with throughout the year.
“The face-to-face time that you get with people you work with over the phone and over emails… you get to sit down with them, have a meal, have coffee, and build deeper connections,” Doni said.
Doni also praised the consistency and reliability of U.S.-grown pulse crops.
“They’re the best in the world,” Doni said. “The quality, the commitment, the relationships, transparency—best in the world.”
Despite strong demand, Winkler says the global pulse industry continues navigating significant challenges.
“There are definitely challenges there,” Winkler said. “Global trade tensions, global politics, conflict that closes transportation channels, waterways, trade barriers, tariffs—all of those things play into our challenges.”
Still, industry leaders say events like Pulses 26 remain critical for building relationships, expanding export opportunities, and sharing the nutritional benefits of pulse crops with consumers worldwide.
Coverage presented by Northern Pulse Growers—locally grown, globally known. Connecting your operation to the markets that matter most.
Source: Western Ag Network
