A buyer’s checklist for lentils and pulses

Begin with the correct commodity, botanical or accepted trade name, and required form: whole, split, dehulled, polished or unpolished. State quantity, crop preference, grain size or count, colour, moisture, purity, foreign matter, broken and damaged limits, packing and destination. Sprouting beans can require germination and additional microbiological controls. Import permits, phytosanitary conditions, fumigation rules, residue limits and labelling differ by market and should be checked before contracting. Representative samples and an agreed inspection method reduce misunderstandings at shipment.