Dried shelled peas market in SADC

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for dried shelled peas in SADC fluctuated considerably between 2018 and 2023, peaking at 106 506 tons in 2020 after a drop to 83 481 tons the previous year. It then stabilized around 104 000 tons in 2021 before declining to 79 925 tons in 2022, the lowest point in the period, and recovering to 95 312 tons in 2023.

These shifts were largely driven by trade movements. For instance, a sharp import contraction to 18 748 tons in 2019 contributed to the lower market volume despite production rising to 94 116 tons. In 2020, higher imports of 38 039 tons helped the market reach a record volume, even as exports also increased. The 2022 downturn coincided with reduced production of 85 898 tons and higher exports of 36 189 tons, which tightened domestic supply.

In 2024, trade activity expanded further, with imports reaching 42 222 tons and exports 41 892 tons. This growth aligns with global trends such as rising demand for plant-based proteins and logistics improvements, including public-private partnerships in South Africa aimed at upgrading rail and port infrastructure to facilitate agricultural product transportation.

Production dried shelled peas in SADC

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 peas production in SADC has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, production reached 98.0 K t, showing a moderate rise of 4.2% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 15.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.0%.

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

Exports dried shelled peas from SADC

Exports in kind, t

Dried shelled peas exports from SADC have risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports totaled 29 573 t, marking a slight increase of 0.6% over the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports surged by 44.7%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 13.1%. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 19 007 t, which saw the largest decline of 7.0%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 54.6%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, dried shelled peas exports from SADC were distributed across numerous countries. India accounted for 22.0% of exports in kind, Uganda for 12.1%, and the United Arab Emirates for 8.0%. Together, these three countries represented 42.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Export values reached their peak in 2019 and fell to their lowest point in 2018, with a 1.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, dried shelled peas exports from SADC amounted to 20 225 K $ US, indicating a sharp decline of 34.8% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 16 355 K $ US, while the maximum was in 2019 at 31 044 K $ US. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 89.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the primary buyers of dried shelled peas from SADC in value terms were the United Arab Emirates, accounting for 25.5% of exports, India with 21.4%, and the United Kingdom with 4.8%. Collectively, these three countries represented 51.7% of total export value.

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

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

Imports dried shelled peas to SADC

Imports in kind, t

The data reveals irregular changes, indicating a volatile market environment. Imports peaked in 2017 and fell to their lowest point in 2019, with a 2.5-fold difference between these years. In 2020, SADC imported a total of value_last_year t of dried shelled peas, which is 102.9% higher than the previous year. The minimum import volume was recorded in 2019 at 18 748 t, which also saw the largest decline of 43.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main sources for dried shelled peas imports to SADC in kind were Ukraine, representing 20.9% of imports, Italy with 15.3%, and the United States with 14.3%. Together, these three countries accounted for 50.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. Import values varied significantly, with a 3.1-fold difference between the high in 2020 and the low in 2019. In 2020, dried shelled peas imports to SADC reached 29 068 K $ US, which is 207.4% higher than in 2019. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 9 456 K $ US, which also experienced the largest decline of 46.7%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the partner structure for imports in value terms was balanced rather than concentrated. The United States accounted for 15.3% of imports, Ukraine for 14.0%, and Italy for 13.2%. These three countries jointly represented 42.5% of total flows, with many other countries making up the remaining 57.5%.

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

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