EU protein plan puts Austria’s climate-resilient pulses in focus

EU seeks a more autonomous protein system

The European Commission presented an action plan in July 2026 for a more resilient, strategically autonomous and sustainable EU protein system. According to Fruchtportal, the plan includes expanding European production of protein crops and strengthening the infrastructure required to process and market them. The initiative responds to the EU’s continued substantial dependence on imported sources of plant protein.

Austria illustrates both the opportunity and the practical constraints. Heatwaves, irregular rainfall and longer dry periods are changing agricultural conditions, increasing the value of crops that tolerate water stress. Greater domestic production could also reduce exposure to supply-chain disruption, price volatility and geopolitical risk. However, no single crop offers a complete solution. The central proposition is a diversified portfolio combining pulses, climate-adapted grains and established crops such as winter wheat.

Chickpea, lentil and fava bean offer different advantages

Marlies Gruber, managing director of forum. ernährung heute, identifies sorghum, chickpea and lentil as drought-tolerant crops that are also nutritionally useful protein sources. Austria still relies on chickpea imports despite rising demand. The Austrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, AGES, describes chickpea as a potential beneficiary of changing climatic conditions because of its high drought tolerance. Its uses extend from hummus, falafel, curries and salads to flour, pasta and snacks.

Lentils also tolerate dry conditions and have a long-established place in many food cultures. Fava beans could serve both animal-feed markets and the expanding food sector. Their flour can be incorporated into bread, baked goods, pasta, spreads and plant-based products. Commercial development nevertheless requires suitable varieties and processing steps such as debittering, dehulling, cooking and reducing antinutritional compounds. Breeding successful winter varieties could improve the crop’s role in climate adaptation.

Pulses provide an agronomic benefit beyond their harvested protein. They can fix atmospheric nitrogen and cover part of their own nitrogen requirements, while subsequent crops may also benefit. This can reduce dependence on synthetic nitrogen fertilizer. Nutritionally, pulses contain fibre and complex carbohydrates; lentils provide iron, while chickpeas are a source of folate.

Sorghum adds resilience but requires processing investment

Sorghum, originating in warm climates, is adapted to heat and may become more relevant in Austrian regions facing increasing water scarcity. Fruchtportal reports that its protein content is comparable with wheat. It is naturally gluten-free, making it suitable for people with coeliac disease or gluten sensitivity, but bread and bakery applications need specialized recipes, blends, fermentation or other technical processes. Some varieties also require attention to tannins and other antinutritional compounds.

Winter wheat is expected to retain a central role because Austria and the wider European market have infrastructure built around it over decades. Winter varieties begin growing earlier after winter, can avoid summer heat and use soils with more water following snowmelt. Cereals and pulses also have complementary protein profiles, supporting their combined use in foods.

Gruber said products such as bread containing fava bean and gluten-free foods made from sorghum and chickpea have particular potential. Their scale-up will depend on varieties with appropriate processing characteristics, investment in infrastructure, acceptable taste and price competitiveness. For Austrian farmers, processors and food manufacturers, the EU plan therefore creates a policy opening, but market growth will require coordinated development from breeding and cultivation through processing and consumer products.