Dried shelled peas market in Latin America and the Caribbean

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the dried shelled peas market in Latin America and the Caribbean expanded significantly, with volume rising from 385 thousand tons to 553 thousand tons. This growth was primarily driven by increasing health consciousness and demand for plant-based proteins, alongside a rise in veganism and gluten-free diets. Internal production in countries like Brazil and Mexico increased, reducing reliance on imports. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 further boosted demand for healthy plant-based foods, even as labor shortages temporarily affected agricultural activities.

After a slight contraction in 2021, the market recovered in 2022, reaching 589 thousand tons, supported by sustained consumer preference for plant-based proteins and healthy products. However, in 2023, adverse climatic conditions and agricultural factors severely impacted pea production and supply, causing the market volume to drop sharply to 346 thousand tons.

Entering 2024, market dynamics are shaped by the entry of new players such as Dole Food Co., diversification of product offerings, and a continued shift towards online sales channels, reflecting ongoing changes in distribution and competitive landscape.

Production dried shelled peas in Latin America and the Caribbean

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried shelled peas, 2017-2020

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

Dried shelled pea production in Latin America and the Caribbean has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 314.2 thousand tonnes, marking a robust 22.4% year-over-year growth. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production rose by 25.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.9%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at 222.0 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 11.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports dried shelled peas from Latin America and the Caribbean

Exports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, dried shelled pea exports from Latin America and the Caribbean have increased. In 2020, exports totaled 28.3 thousand tonnes, representing a 30.4% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 62.6%, equating to an annualized decline of 28.0%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2019 at 21.7 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest drop of 56.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

The export structure for dried shelled peas from Latin America and the Caribbean remained fragmented between 2017 and 2020. Senegal accounted for 12.6% of exports in volume, Russia for 8.0%, and India for 7.4%, with these three countries together representing only 28.0% of total flows. No single country held a dominant share during this period.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

After a two-year contraction, foreign dried shelled pea supplies from Latin America and the Caribbean have increased. In 2020, exports reached 23.4 million US dollars, up 11.0% from the prior year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 22.8%, with a compound annual decline of 8.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 21.1 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 22.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, dried shelled pea exports in value terms from Latin America and the Caribbean were spread across many countries. Senegal accounted for 12.7% of exports in value, Russia for 8.6%, and India for 5.3%, with these three countries jointly representing only 26.7% of total flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020

Imports dried shelled peas to Latin America and the Caribbean

Imports in kind, K t

The volume of dried shelled pea imports into Latin America and the Caribbean has increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, import volume was recorded at 267.4 thousand tonnes, up 15.3% from a year earlier. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 6.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.1%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2018 at 212.7 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 15.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Between 2017 and 2020, the two leading destinations for dried shelled pea imports into Latin America and the Caribbean were Canada and the United States, which together accounted for 86.2% of total imports in volume.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

After a two-year decline, dried shelled pea imports into Latin America and the Caribbean have increased. In 2020, the region imported approximately 135.7 million US dollars worth of dried shelled peas, up 28.0% compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports rose by 7.7%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 2.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 106.0 million US dollars, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 14.9%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Canada and the United States jointly absorbed 84.1% of total dried shelled pea imports in value terms into Latin America and the Caribbean, with the remaining volume distributed across smaller markets.

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

World map of product's imports to Latin America and the Caribbean in value, 2017-2020