World Pulses Day

World Pulses Day History

World Pulses Day highlighst the crucial role of pulses in sustainable agriculture and healthy diets. Pulses, which include legumes like lentils, beans, peas and chickpeas, are nutrient-rich foods that have significant health and environmental benefits. The Observance also seeks to promote the production and consumption of pulses, to recognise their benefits, and to encourage more sustainable and efficient use of these crops in agriculture.

The recognition of World Pulses Day was established by the UN General Assembly on December 20, 2018, following the success of the International Year of Pulses in 2016. For Australia, pulses play an important role in both regional farming and national diets. For farmers, pulses promote biodiversity, improve soil health and contribute to climate change mitigation through their nitrogen-fixing properties. From the dietary perspective, pulses are a prime source of plant-based proteins, fibre, and various essential minerals making them a key component of healthy eating patterns in Australia.

In Australia, observance of the day typically includes various activities aimed at promoting knowledge and awareness about pulses. These may include farmers' markets featuring pulses, educational workshops, cooking demonstrations, and recipe competitions. In this way, World Pulses Day serves as not just a celebration of these valuable crops but also a movement towards more sustainable and healthy food choices for Australians. World Pulses Day is observed globally on 10th of February.

Top 8 Facts for 2026 World Pulses Day in Australia

• The 2025-2026 Australian harvest is forecast to achieve record production levels for lentils and the third-highest output on record for chickpeas, solidifying Australia’s position as a premier global exporter to markets in South Asia and the Middle East.
• This upcoming observance aligns closely with the commencement of Ramadan in mid-February 2026, a period when demand for Australian-grown desi chickpeas and lentils peaks due to their essential role in traditional suhoor and iftar meals.
• Western Australia is the world’s largest producer of the Australian Sweet Lupin, a unique superfood that contains roughly 40 per cent plant protein and 30 per cent prebiotic fibre, making it a highly searched alternative for gluten-free and low-glycaemic diets.
• Pulses are celebrated as "environmental heroes" in Australian agriculture because they naturally perform nitrogen fixation, a process that enriches the continent's typically nutrient-poor soils and reduces the farming industry's reliance on synthetic fertilisers.
• Culinary interest in these legumes has been bolstered by the CSIRO Total Wellbeing Diet, which features popular pulse-based recipes such as its famous black bean brownies and various red lentil dahls to promote gut health and weight management.
• The most recent global theme for the celebration, Pulses: Bringing diversity to agrifood systems, underscores the role of these crops in enhancing biodiversity both above and below the ground while supporting the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
• Public health advocates, including the Grains & Legumes Nutrition Council, use this event to promote their Love Your Legumes Recipe Book, which provides Australian households with modern ways to incorporate beans and peas into everyday meals to combat rising rates of heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
• Research published in creative works such as Pulse: Modern Recipes With Beans, Peas & Lentils by Eleanor Maidment highlights that pulses are not only budget-friendly pantry staples but are also among the most water-efficient protein sources available to Australian consumers.

In the News and Trending in Australia for World Pulses Day

Top things to do in Australia for World Pulses Day

• Learn more about pulses and their benefits with an educational video by the FAO.
• Learn about the Global Pulse Confederation, a not for profit hoping to create an inclusive global pulse organization.
• Visit a local farmers market: Australia has several where you can buy fresh pulses directly from the farmers. Some examples include the Melbourne Farmers Markets, Sydney's Carriageworks Farmers Market or Adelaide Central Market.
• Attend the Annual Pulses Convention: This event aims to unite farmers, dealers, exporters, and commodity analysts to discuss the progress, opportunities, and challenges involved in pulse farming.