A Bold Idea That Started in 2001
In 2001, entrepreneur Murad Al-Katib had a bold idea. He believed that locally grown pulses such as lentils, peas, chickpeas, and beans could be processed at their origin using modern technology. This approach would increase their value before entering the global marketplace. That idea became the foundation for AGT Foods, which has grown into a plant-based protein company known for supplying value-added pulses, staple foods, and ingredients to customers worldwide.
Reimagining the Value of Pulses
At that time, pulses were viewed as a secondary crop in North America. Producers grew them mainly for crop rotation and often sold them as lower-grade bulk products. These crops were typically cleaned and packaged only after reaching their final market, which added extra costs and reduced potential value for growers.
Al-Katib believed that processing pulses at origin could keep more of that value close to home. He also recognized the importance of pulses as an affordable, nutritious, and sustainable source of protein, and how vital they would be for supporting food security in the decades ahead.
Growth From One Facility to a Global Network
Over the following years, AGT expanded from one lentil splitting facility in Regina, Saskatchewan to a network of more than 45 facilities across five continents. Today, the company works with producers in Canada, the United States, Türkiye, Australia, South Africa, and India and serves customers in more than 120 countries.
Through its retail divisions, AGT offers packaged, bagged, and canned pulses, staple foods, and traditional favorites that are largely processed within its own vertically integrated supply chain.
Expanding Into Pulse-Based Ingredients
In the past decade, AGT has expanded its capabilities to include pulse-based ingredients such as flours, proteins, fibers, and starches. These ingredients have gained traction in formulated food products because they are naturally gluten-free and contain high levels of protein and fiber. They continue to grow in popularity among health-minded consumers.
Innovation in Extruded Products
AGT has also invested in extruded products made from pulse ingredients. At its Extrusion Centre of Excellence in Minot, North Dakota, the company produces gluten-free pasta, plant-based protein items, and other products. Its Veggipasta brand is available in grocery stores in Canada and the United States, and pulse-based pasta is also sold in Türkiye under the PastaVilla brand.
This category is one of the fastest-growing segments for AGT. The company is expanding its Minot facility to more than 20,000 tonnes of annual capacity, which will position AGT among the largest gluten-free pasta producers in the world.
Staying True to Its Mission
Throughout all of its growth, AGT has remained focused on its original mission. The company continues to champion the idea of connecting local producers with global consumers by delivering nutritious pulse-based foods to tables around the world.
AGT’s growth and focus on nutritious, sustainable staples reflects the type of innovation and mission-driven leadership that aligns with the Nourishing Change ecosystem and its commitment to advancing food as a foundation for health.
