Dried shelled peas market in Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled peas in Asia expanded from 5.8 million tons in 2018 to 6.8 million tons in 2023, driven primarily by rising consumer demand for healthy and protein-rich foods. Peas gained popularity as a source of dietary fiber and plant-based protein, aligning with broader trends toward natural and nutritious diets. Agricultural policies that promoted peas as a rotational crop for soil improvement supported steady production growth, which increased from 2.5 million tons in 2019 to 2.9 million tons in 2023.

Market volume surged to 7.2 million tons in 2020, partly due to heightened focus on health during the global pandemic, which accelerated demand for staple and nutrient-dense ingredients. However, the following two years saw a contraction to 6.4 million tons in 2022, influenced by volatility in global supply chains and raw material prices that affected import flows—imports fell from 4.8 million tons in 2020 to 3.7 million tons in 2022. The market recovered to 6.8 million tons in 2023 as demand continued to grow and supply conditions stabilized.

Structural shifts also shaped the market: new product segments like pea protein and pea starch emerged, catering to diverse applications in food, pharmaceutical, and chemical industries. E-commerce channels rapidly developed, improving market accessibility for pea products. Competition intensified with the presence of major players such as Harbin Hi-tech Soybean Food and Yuwang Group. Looking ahead, 2024 agricultural technical guidelines emphasize seed selection, scientific cultivation, and pest control to safeguard yield and quality of dried peas.

Production dried shelled peas in Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried shelled peas, 2017-2020

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

After two years of decline, dried shelled pea production in Asia increased in 2020. That year, Asia produced 2 565 K t of dried shelled peas, up 2.1% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 8.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -3.0%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 2 512 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 10.4%.

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

Exports dried shelled peas from Asia

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during the observed period. Export levels fluctuated significantly, with a 2.5-fold difference between the peak in 2018 and the low in 2017. In 2020, Asia's dried shelled pea export volume reached 102 K t, representing a sharp increase of 29.2% compared to 2019. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 134 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 152.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, dropping by 41.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Asia's dried shelled pea exports in kind were distributed across numerous markets. Spain accounted for 8.4% of exports, Somalia for 4.4%, and the United States for 3.5%. Together, these three countries represented only 16.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, dried shelled pea deliveries from Asia amounted to 63 M $ US, showing a slight rise of 1.4% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 19.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 6.1%. The highest value was recorded in 2018 at 76 M $ US, which also saw the largest increase of 43.6%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, falling by 18.0%.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, Asia's dried shelled pea exports in value terms were spread across many markets. Somalia accounted for 5.4% of exports, Spain for 5.0%, and the United States for 3.1%. Combined, these three countries represented just 13.5% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports dried shelled peas to Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Foreign dried shelled pea supplies to Asia increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Asia imported 4 772 K t of dried shelled peas, which is 37.8% higher than in 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 77.8%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 21.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada absorbed 73.5% of total dried shelled pea imports in kind to Asia, with the remainder distributed across a wide range of smaller destinations.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Dried shelled pea imports to Asia increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 1 514 M $ US, marking an abrupt rise of 45.7% from the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 51.5%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 14.9%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 960 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 3.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada, Russia, and the United States consistently remained the main destinations for dried shelled pea imports in value terms to Asia. Canada accounted for 68.6% of imports, Russia for 9.3%, and the United States for 5.1%. Together, these three countries represented 83.1% of total import flows.

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

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