An anticipated increase in demand from UK compounders for ruminant and pig rations is being advanced as a key reason why an approaching 30% rise in the production of spring pulses next year isn’t a cause for concern among growers.Â
According to the British Edible Pulses Association (BEPA), UK growers are turning to beans and peas to meet the new CAP greening requirements, manage blackgrass and mitigate falling oilseed rape prices.
“Recently, the area of pulses grown in the UK has fallen from its traditional level,” said BEPA president, Andy Bury (pictured). “However, this season, as growers look for the most practical ways to meet the 5% EFA requirement in CAP greening, we are likely to see the area increase by up to 30%, returning to more usual levels.”
While noting that some commentators were already expressing the view that the increased acreage will put downward pressure on prices, he maintained there should be “no concern” among growers.
“Prices will be slightly lower,” he said, “but there will still be a substantial premium over wheat. The significant advantage is that this will bring more buyers into the market and increasing demand will bring new opportunities for growers.”
That was the context is which he said that demand from UK compound mills for ruminant and pig rations was “likely to return” next year, along with a rising demand from buyers in southern Spain and Italy and also from salmon farmers in Scotland and Norway, who required a substantial supply of de-hulled beans.Â