Pulses sector entrepreneurs present at business matchmaking

The most recent National Agricultural Survey, carried out by Dane, User Services Servicios al usuario Reported that in Colombia there are 288,212 hectares of vegetable, vegetable, and legume crops, this being the sixth group of crops in the agricultural inventory after agroindustrial crops, cereals, forest plantations, tubers, banana, and fruit trees.

In this group, bean crops (38.1%) and pea (13.5%) presented the highest participation with 109,847 and 38,776 hectares planted, respectively, throughout the national territory.
These foods maintained their leading role at the table of Colombians, despite the Covid-19 pandemic, as evidenced by a survey carried out by Servinformación and Puntored, in which it is indicated that the sales of legumes increased around 3% in neighborhood stores in 2020.
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"The food factor became important in the midst of the pandemic, legumes such as beans or soybeans have gained relevance because they are foods with a high level of nutrition," said Henry Vanegas, president of the National Federation of Cereal, Legume, Vegetable and Soy Growers (Fenalce).
The union leader indicated that the price of products such as soybeans went from $1,250 to $2,000 per kilo, this upward trend is due to the increase in demand, in terms of beans and peas, an increase in their cost was also evidenced.
Considering the potential of legumes, the Association of Beans of Meta (Asofrimeta) decided to develop special seeds that allow to have a fortified bean, in addition there are no intermediaries in their business, so the price of the product is favorable.
But legumes not only play a relevant role for human nutrition, but they have also gained prominence in animal nutrition, “products such as beans, soybeans and soy cake are really important raw materials for animal nutrition. It is expected that the demand for them will continue to grow in the world market, so the country should work on this front”, said Santiago Vásquez, commercial manager of Hacienda SAS.

The businessman explained that the country currently imports around 2 million tons of soybean cake and that to cover the national demand it must be increased up to 10 times.
The companies in this sector participate in Econexia.com in the virtual business matchmaking that takes place in the agroindustry and food ecosystem, a virtual event that takes place between February 23 and 26, 2021, in which Colombian companies will be able to carry out meetings with entrepreneurs at the national and international level. To expand its business opportunities and in support of the economic boost of its production chain.

Around 1,250 companies in the sector participate in the virtual meeting, and it will be attended by professional buyers from 17 countries, including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Paraguay, Peru, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic, among others.