This year, the annual VISIONARY cross-country visit on the development of food legume value chains took place in Copenhagen, Denmark, on 21–22 May. Organised by the University of Copenhagen, the two-day programme brought together food chain stakeholders from five European countries to explore Danish approaches to the production, processing, marketing and consumption of food legumes. The visit focused on how legume value chains can be strengthened and how these crops can contribute to a healthier and more sustainable European food system.
Throughout the programme, participants gained valuable insights into the current state and future direction of the Danish legume sector. Presentations highlighted the role of pulses in Danish food consumption, as well as the social, market and policy factors that can support — or hinder — the wider uptake of plant-based protein sources. Particular attention was given to the Danish Plant-Based Food Grant, a public funding scheme supporting plant-based food initiatives, and to the Danish Legume Partnership, which aims to strengthen cooperation among stakeholders, increase legume consumption and promote a more sustainable food culture.
The visit also featured several inspiring business cases. Participants were introduced to MATR Foods, a company developing and producing plant-based products based on legumes, and had the opportunity to taste some of its products. As part of the field programme, the group visited Bælgkompagniet, a farm in Zealand that has recently shifted from pig production to the organic cultivation and processing of food legumes. This example showed how changing the production structure can open up new opportunities for farmers, while also bringing market, technological and organisational challenges.
The programme also underlined the importance of consumers and food service in driving the transition. Plant-based catering practices at the University of Copenhagen, including the example of the Wicked Rabbit Canteen, demonstrated how legumes can offer a tasty, healthy and cost-effective alternative to meat-based meals in large-scale catering. During the plenary discussions, participants reflected on how Danish experiences could be adapted in other European countries and what further steps are needed to increase the production and consumption of food legumes.
Overall, the two-day visit confirmed that developing European food legume value chains is a complex task that requires the involvement of many different actors. Farmer innovation, cooperation between processors and market players, good practices in public catering, consumer awareness and targeted policy support all have a role to play in helping legumes become a more important part of European diets and agricultural production. The Copenhagen programme offered practical, inspiring and internationally relevant examples of how this transition can be supported.
AKI was represented by Zsófia Balogh, researcher at the Agricultural Economics Research Department.
