The value of crops produced in North Dakota last year totaled almost $11 billion.

That's nearly double 2011's crop value of 6 billion dollars.

While many of those commodities are consumed in the states--more and more countries are looking to America as their food supplier.

This afternoon we look at the number of pulse crops being sent overseas and how a new facility will add value to North Dakota's ag industry.

"Exports still remain the dominant consumer of pulse crops. When you get into India subcontinent, it is there staple food. as we eat beef here.They are eating peas, lentils and chickpeas in their home countries." 

United Pulse Trading is making foot prints across the state with a U.S. headquarters office in Bismarck, processing peas, lentils and chickpeas in Williston and soon adding value to North Dakota's commodities in Minot. 

"Minot is going to be a little bit different of a process that what we have going at any of our facilities. globally. In that we are taking the pulse crops that we clean, split and then we are going to take another step and mill it into flours. Several different types of flours. from that point separating the protein, starch and fiber as a food ingredient for global food markets around the world." 

Eric Bartsch is the General Manager at United Pulse Trading.

Bartsch says 70-80% of the peas and lentils are exported.

He says United Pulse Trading ships to nearly 100 countries around the world.

India is eating up a lot of the dried peas, lentils and chickpeas, being the number one destination for export pulse crops.

Bartsch says other growing markets include China, Latin America and Europe.

"Even north America. It's not an export market, but it is a growing market for us and that's where we see our biggest growth over the next several years." 

Bartsch says the Minot facility will be operating by April or May.

Bartsch says pulse crops are also being used in many pet foods.

[Sarah Gustin, KX News, March 5, 2013]