Dried shelled peas market in Belgium

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018, Belgian dried shelled pea production remained constrained by local growing conditions, where sowing after mid-May to avoid late frosts pushed the harvest into autumn and limited potential output. This kept domestic production stable around 2.5–2.6 thousand tons through 2020, while market volume fluctuated between 123.5 and 134.4 thousand tons, largely driven by changes in import and export flows.

Market volume peaked at 134.6 thousand tons in 2021 before falling sharply to 100.2 thousand tons in 2022 and further to 87.8 thousand tons in 2023. This decline coincided with the spread of self-harvesting practices, where consumers pick and shell peas themselves, reducing recorded commercial sales. Simultaneously, major processor Ardo announced a historic 40% increase in contract prices for green peas for the 2023 harvest to incentivize farmers to expand planted area and utilize available processing capacity in Belgium, aiming to boost future production.

Production dried shelled peas in Belgium

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dried shelled peas, 2017-2020

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

Belgium's production of dried shelled peas increased after a two-year decline. In 2019, production reached its lowest point at 2 500 tonnes, followed by a slight fluctuation to 2 510 tonnes in 2020. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 13.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -4.6%. The most significant drop occurred in 2018, when production decreased by 11.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Belgium in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports dried shelled peas from Belgium

Exports in kind, K t

Belgium's exports of dried shelled peas have grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country exported 93.0 thousand tonnes, marking a sharp increase of 29.4% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, exports surged by 556.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 87.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the Netherlands consistently represented 75.5% of Belgium's total dried shelled pea exports in volume, highlighting a strong reliance on this market. The remaining exports were distributed among other countries.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The value of dried shelled peas exported from Belgium has risen for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 36 683 thousand US dollars, a dramatic increase of 32.2% over the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 218.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of 47.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the Netherlands, France, and Norway were the core markets for Belgium's dried shelled pea exports in value terms. The Netherlands accounted for 56.6% of exports, France for 15.0%, and Norway for 8.7%, together making up 80.2% of total export value.

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

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

Imports dried shelled peas to Belgium

Imports in kind, K t

Belgium's imports of dried shelled peas have increased for the third year in a row. In 2020, imports reached 214.0 thousand tonnes, showing a moderate year-on-year rise of 5.0%. Between 2017 and 2020, import volume grew by 96.7%, equivalent to an annualized rate of 25.3%.

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

During 2017-2020, France, Lithuania, and Canada were the main sources of dried shelled pea imports to Belgium in volume. France supplied 69.0% of imports, Lithuania 10.1%, and Canada 3.9%, collectively accounting for 83.0% of total import volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The value of dried shelled peas imported into Belgium has grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, import value amounted to 67 155 thousand US dollars, a significant increase of 15.1% compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, import value rose by 71.4%, with an annualized rate of 19.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Lithuania, and the Netherlands led as the top suppliers of dried shelled peas to Belgium in value terms. France accounted for 64.3% of import value, Lithuania for 7.2%, and the Netherlands for 6.0%, together representing 77.5% of total import value.

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

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