Dried shelled peas market in China

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the Chinese dried shelled peas market experienced notable volatility in volume. Starting at 3.6 million tonnes in 2018, market size dipped to 3.5 million tonnes in 2019 before surging to a peak of 4.3 million tonnes in 2020, primarily fueled by a sharp increase in imports. A subsequent correction followed, bringing the market down to 3.6 million tonnes in 2021 and further to 3.1 million tonnes in 2022, as import volumes receded.

The market rebounded strongly to 4.1 million tonnes in 2023. This recovery was underpinned by the expansion of the domestic processing sector, particularly for pea protein, driven by rising consumer demand for healthy and plant-based food products. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs' issuance of detailed pea production technical guidelines also supported improvements in crop yield and quality.

Concurrently, the U.S. initiation of anti-dumping and countervailing duty investigations against Chinese pea protein in 2023 highlighted the growing international profile of this high-value segment, even though export volumes remained minimal. The market's structure continued to evolve towards greater product diversification and a stronger domestic processing base.

Production dried shelled peas in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, China held the third position globally in the production of dried shelled peas.

Top producers of dried shelled peas, 2017-2020

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

China's production of dried shelled peas declined for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 1,419 thousand tonnes, marking a slight decrease of 2.1% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production fell by 6.8%, which translates to an annualized decline of 2.3%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 1,525 thousand tonnes. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a 5.0% decrease, while the largest increase was seen in 2018, at 0.2%.

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

Exports dried shelled peas from China

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed notable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2017 and peaked in 2020, with a 3.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, China exported 1 thousand tonne of dried shelled peas, representing a substantial year-over-year increase of 101.6%. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, at 20.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam, Hong Kong, and Liberia were the primary destinations for China's dried shelled peas exports in volume terms. Vietnam accounted for 33.0% of exports, Hong Kong for 10.7%, and Liberia for 10.5%. Together, these three markets absorbed 54.1% of China's total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

China's dried shelled peas exports in value terms grew for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 1.3 million US dollars, which is 57.9% higher than the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 144.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 34.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Vietnam, the United States, and Japan led as the top buyers of dried shelled peas from China in value terms. Vietnam accounted for 33.1% of exports, the United States for 23.8%, and Japan for 19.4%. Combined, these three countries represented 76.4% of China's total exports in value.

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

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

Imports dried shelled peas to China

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, China's imports of dried shelled peas in volume terms reached 2,908 thousand tonnes, showing a sharp increase of 45.2% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 125.9%, with a compound annual growth rate of 31.2%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 3.8%, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2018, at 61.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Canada was the dominant and nearly exclusive source for China's imports of dried shelled peas in volume terms, accounting for 95.6% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, China imported dried shelled peas worth 820.6 million US dollars, reflecting a gain of 41.1% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 89.7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 23.8%. The largest decline was in 2019, at 5.1%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018, at 41.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, China's imports of dried shelled peas in value terms were almost entirely dependent on Canada, which accounted for 94.5% of total imports.

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

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