The proof is in the sampling

 

For millennia, humans have been cultivating and consuming pulses. These dried legume seeds, which include varieties such as beans, chickpeas, lentils and peas, have played a significant role in many cultures and continue to nourish societies globally.

 

In this excerpt from SGS’ 2024 ‘Focus on Pulses’ newsletter, SGS examines key trends in the global market and various challenges faced by exporting countries, highlighting how their trusted experts support the industry — whether on the ground or in the laboratory.

 

Pulses are a staple in many global diets, offering a low-fat protein source packed with vital nutrients like iron, potassium, and folate. The various health advantages of consuming pulses have led to the sale of plant-based foods outpace non-plant-based food sales by threefold in 2021 alone, spurred by consumers’ growing preference for plant-based diets and use as a meat alternative.

 

The global agricultural commodities supply chain presents opportunities and challenges. While you can easily access a huge range of markets and commodities, you must ensure that your goods meet the necessary quality and quantity parameters, fulfill contractual obligations, and meet local and international standards and regulations.

 

For over 145+ years, SGS has been renowned for their independence, accuracy, and technical excellence, offering a unique, industry-leading depth and breadth of solutions. As global grains and oilseeds tester, they provide agricultural expertise and innovative solutions tailored to cover the entire supply chain. With SGS’ vast network of offices and state-of-the-art laboratories by your side, SGS can ensure that customers’ testing, inspection, risk management, and fumigation needs are met.

 

Since being founded in 1950, SGS’ agricultural services in Australia have seen consistent growth and expansion, solidifying their position as a key contributor to the nation’s agriculture industry.

 

SGS’ operations include two key laboratories specializing in agricultural commodity testing, and three offices that oversee their trade and inspection services for their agri-business. These are located across Perth, Western Australia; Adelaide, South Australia; and Melbourne, Victoria.

 

Spearheaded by its status as Grains and Feed Trade Association (Gafta) and Federation of Oils, Seeds, and Fats Associations (FOSFA) approved Superintendents and accredited for ISO 17020, SGS Australia provides a comprehensive and seamless range of solutions for pulses. These solutions include sampling, testing, and on-site inspection at inland packing facilities, and bulk export terminals for pulse commodities. Furthermore, on behalf of the Australian Government, SGS’ team is authorized to inspect vessels and cargo at port to ensure they meet phytosanitary requirements for the destination country.

 

SGS’ agricultural operations in the Baltics began in 1992. In the 30+ years since; their footprint has expanded to include a network of 13 laboratories across the region.

 

Stretching across multiple countries, their reach includes six laboratories in Latvia’s cities of Riga, Ventspils, and Liepãja; and two each in Lithuania’s Klaipeda, Estonia’s Muuga and Sillamäe. The most recent addition is an express laboratory in Sillamäe, inaugurated within the last year.

 

Supporting these laboratories, SGS has five Agri-trade offices located in Riga, Ventspils, Liepaja, Klaipeda, and Tallinn. Across the Baltics, their team comprises 117 full-time professionals, all dedicated to serving the agricultural industry.

 

Ensuring the best in services, SGS’ laboratories boast multiple accreditations and certifications. For example, their laboratory in Klaipeda, Lithuania is a FOSFA-certified Approved Analyst for oilseed testing. Furthermore, their operations in Latvia and Lithuania have achieved Gafta-approved Superintendents, Analysts, and Fumigators status.

 

SGS offers a wide range of services across the Baltics, including intake control, loading inspection for containers or shipments, laboratory services in line with ISO 605 standards for testing pulses for human or animal consumption, and proficiency testing in cereals and agri-food certified by BIPEA.

 

Furthermore, SGS provides fumigation services. Each year, SGS’ team inspects over 350 kilo metric tonnes (KMT) of pulses, providing more than 150 different analytical services, demonstrating their extensive capabilities and commitment to the agricultural sector.

 

 

Across Canada, SGS’ operations are spread across six states with eight offices and three laboratories in Prince Rupert, Vancouver, Calgary, Saskatoon, Winnipeg, Hamilton, Thunder Bay, Burnaby, and Montreal. Initially founded in 2000, its agricultural team comprises over 250 full-time employees who support these various facilities.

 

In Burnaby and Vancouver, both in British Columbia, SGS’ laboratories are FOSFA-certified and specialize in analysing oils, fats, and oilseeds. They are also Gafta- approved Fumigators, Analysts, and Superintendents which verifies the company for excellence in their testing and inspection solutions, including supervision of loading and discharge operations.

 

SGS is also accredited with ISO 17025 and ISO 17020, which reflects their competence, impartiality, and consistency in operations. Additionally, it is verified by the Non-GMO Project to conduct GMO testing on agri-commodities.

 

SGS is also authorized by the Canada Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to provide grain testing services as part of the REGAL programme, which includes testing for live insects.

 

With its various accreditations and certifications, SGS in Canada offers remote inspections of containers/railcars during a comprehensive range of solutions for the agriculture industry. This includes on-site and loading, quality analysis to Canadian, US, or ISO standards, Glyphosate testing, and GMO testing.

 

In the future, SGS intends to broaden their analytical services to encompass testing for fats, fibers, starch, ash, and proteins in pulses.

 

As part of their commitment to sustainable practices, SGS expanded their capabilities in January 2023 to include Sustainable Carbon Tracing. This allows it to include total carbon footprint reduction on certificates for each client using SGS’ remote inspection services.

 

Comprising two laboratories and seven trade offices, SGS’ operations in Pakistan have greatly expanded since they first launched in the country in 1952.

 

Centred around pulse-related services, they operate from the vibrant cities of Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and Multan. To ensure excellence throughout, a dedicated team of over 315 inspectors, analysts, technicians, and commercial team members oversees their proceedings.

 

 

SGS’ comprehensive suite of solutions is tailored to cater to every requirement across the pulses supply chain. The company provides a plethora of services, including sampling, chemical and microbiological testing, supervision of loading and discharge, draught survey, warehouse inspections, verification of packaging and bag marking, as well as dispatch supervision from the port to the end buyer.

 

In addition, SGS’ disinfection and fumigation services include pre-shipment treatment of wooden packaging materials, non-toxic pest management, and Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for grain warehouses. All these services are designed to ensure the highest quality and safety standards.

 

It is also authorized to conduct joint surveys and consultancy services for Pakistan’s Government Department of Plant Protection.

 

As of 2022, SGS Pakistan stands as the only Gafta-approved fumigator in the country. In the past year alone, it has completed over 550 types of analyses and conducted inspections on more than 130,000 tonnes of pulses commodities, including beans, chickpeas, lentils, and matpe.

 

Since establishing its presence in Singapore in 1971, SGS has been eager to assist with customers’ business operations.

 

Its Singapore team serves as a vital link between clients and the company’s wealth of local and international experts, catering specifically to customers engaged in the South East Asia Pacific (SEAP) pulses markets.

Operating from Singapore, their team ensures smooth and uninterrupted delivery of services across the region.

 

SGS’ agriculture commodities expertise stretches globally. Combining local in-depth knowledge and the latest worldwide industry best practices, SGS works for its customers to protect their interests and reduce their risk, ensuring that all commodities meet global standards for quality and excellence.