Dried shelled peas market in Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The African dried shelled pea market opened the period at 750.6 thousand metric tons in 2018, bolstered by the widespread adoption of improved agricultural techniques such as drip irrigation and pest-resistant varieties, alongside government support for expanding cultivated area. Growing consumer preference for plant-based proteins further stimulated demand. A modest contraction to 731.4 thousand tons followed in 2019, coinciding with a decrease in import prices for peas. The market then expanded sharply to 845.2 thousand tons in 2020, propelled by continued strong global demand for plant proteins and the indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on supply chains, which led to a significant increase in imports.

After the 2020 peak, the market receded to 822.9 thousand tons in 2021 as local pea prices declined and the domestic market softened. The introduction of stricter packaging and traceability regulations, designed to align with international standards, affected trade dynamics and contributed to a further reduction to 797.4 thousand tons in 2022. A recovery ensued in 2023, with the market volume rising to 858.2 thousand tons, supported by Kenya's adoption of innovative Chinese packaging concepts to enhance export competitiveness and the influence of global commodity price fluctuations.

Production dried shelled peas in Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried shelled peas, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried shelled peas, 2017-2020

In 2020, Africa produced 607.1 thousand tonnes of dried shelled peas, marking a moderate 3.4% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, production grew by 7.7%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2018 at 4.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports dried shelled peas from Africa

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Export volumes varied significantly, with the lowest point in 2018 at 30.3 thousand tonnes and the highest in 2020 at 91.0 thousand tonnes, representing a threefold difference. In 2020, dried shelled pea shipments from Africa to abroad totaled 91.0 thousand tonnes, reflecting a sharp 119.8% increase compared to the previous year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 36.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, Africa traded dried shelled peas with numerous countries. Even the top destinations—India, the United Arab Emirates, and France—together accounted for only 19.5% of total exports in volume terms.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Dried shelled pea exports from Africa increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 56.2 million US dollars, up 43.8% from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 50.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 14.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 23.0 million US dollars, with the largest decline that year at 38.2%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019 at 69.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, no single market dominated dried shelled pea exports. The United Arab Emirates (15.3% of export value), India (12.9%), and the United Kingdom (2.8%) together accounted for only 30.9% of total export value, while many smaller partners each held modest individual shares.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Africa in value, 2017-2020

Imports dried shelled peas to Africa

Imports in kind, K t

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout this timeframe. Import volumes varied by 1.8 times, with the lowest point in 2019 at 185.8 thousand tonnes and the highest in 2020 at 329.1 thousand tonnes. In 2020, Africa's dried shelled pea import volume totaled 329.1 thousand tonnes, up 77.1% year-over-year. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 28.2%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, the United States (30.4% of import volume), Ukraine (19.1%), and Canada (10.1%) remained the leading sources in Africa's import structure, together representing 59.6% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year contraction, imported dried shelled pea volumes in Africa increased. In 2020, import value stood at 165.8 million US dollars, showing a sharp 56.4% rise compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 9.1%, with an average annual decline of 3.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 106.0 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 35.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, the United States (38.7% of import value), Ukraine (11.9%), and Canada (9.5%) consistently held leading positions in Africa's import structure, jointly accounting for 60.2% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Africa in value, 2017-2020