Dried shelled peas market in Western Europe

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, production of dried shelled peas in Western Europe first expanded then contracted. The initial rise to 967.5 thousand tons in 2019 was fueled by growing consumer interest in meat alternatives and plant-based proteins, which boosted demand for peas as a raw material. Higher prices for domestic peas, partly due to dry weather, provided an additional incentive for farmers. Despite the production increase, the local market volume dipped slightly as exports more than doubled. In 2020, production dropped, but market volume reached a peak of 1 047.8 thousand tons thanks to a significant rise in imports, reflecting ongoing demand for plant-based products.

Production and market volume both declined from 2021 to 2022, with output falling to 750.8 thousand tons and consumption dropping to 839.5 thousand tons in 2022. The market rebounded in 2023, as production increased to 774.5 thousand tons and market volume grew by 10.7% to 929.5 thousand tons. This recovery was supported by a 16.6% rise in pea production in Germany, driven by strong demand for plant-based proteins and a focus on regional sourcing, with companies like Greenforce expanding the use of locally grown pea protein.

For 2024, factors highlight divergent regional trends: pea harvests in Germany jumped by 42% due to expanded acreage and favorable weather, while in France production fell sharply by 29.6% because of unfavorable conditions and disease. These developments underscore the ongoing influence of agricultural conditions and the consumer shift toward plant-based diets on the dried peas market.

Production dried shelled peas in Western Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried shelled peas, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, Western Europe produced 885 thousand tonnes of dried shelled peas, which represents an 8.6% decrease compared to 2019. Production reached its lowest point in 2018 at 821 thousand tonnes. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 21.6%, averaging an annual decrease of 7.8%. The most significant drop occurred in 2018 with a 27.2% reduction, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 17.8%.

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

Exports dried shelled peas from Western Europe

Exports in kind, K t

Export volumes showed considerable volatility during these years. The lowest point was in 2018 at 89.3 thousand tonnes, while exports peaked in 2017, creating a 3.8-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, foreign supplies of dried shelled peas from Western Europe amounted to 247.4 thousand tonnes, marking a 2.7% increase compared to 2019. The most substantial decline occurred in 2018 with a 73.6% drop, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 169.9%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, dried shelled peas from Western Europe were exported to numerous countries. Even the top three destinations—India, Italy, and China—collectively accounted for only 21.5% of total export volumes.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Exports of dried shelled peas from Western Europe grew for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 180.7 million US dollars—a 22.0% increase compared to 2019. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 118.8 million US dollars. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 20%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.3%. The most significant decline occurred in 2018 with a 21.1% drop, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 24.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, export values were distributed across a wide range of partner countries. The United Kingdom (7.8% of export value), India (7.0%), and Italy (6.2%) together accounted for just 21.0% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports dried shelled peas to Western Europe

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, Western Europe imported 410.7 thousand tonnes of dried shelled peas, representing a sharp 40.0% increase compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 65.5%, averaging an annual increase of 18.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 4.8% decrease.

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

During the 2017-2020 period, no single market dominated dried shelled pea imports into Western Europe. Lithuania (11.4% of import volume), Russia (5.6%), and Poland (5.4%) together accounted for only 22.5% of total imports, with many smaller partners each holding modest individual shares.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Western Europe's dried shelled pea imports reached 184.5 million US dollars, up 15.8% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports increased by 28.5%, averaging an annual growth rate of 8.7%. The largest decline occurred in 2019 with an 11.0% decrease, while the most significant increase was recorded in 2018 at 24.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, import values were distributed across a broad set of partner countries. Lithuania (9.7% of import value), Canada (5.0%), and Russia (4.5%) together accounted for just 19.3% of total import flows.

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

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