Dried shelled pigeon peas market in Central America

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled pigeon peas in Central America experienced notable fluctuations between 2018 and 2023. Volume peaked at 2 264 t in 2019, before contracting sharply to 1 601 t in 2020. Production followed a similar pattern, falling from 1 988 t to 1 451 t over the same two-year period. A recovery began in 2021, with market volume reaching 2 102 t by 2022, supported by rising domestic output and steady imports.

By 2024, several factors were shaping the market environment. The fungal disease anthracnosis, caused by Colletotrichum cajani, damaged crops, raised production costs, and contributed to supply shortages and price speculation. Concurrently, Panama's Ministry of Agricultural Development implemented subsidy and incentive programs aimed at boosting productivity for basic grains, including pigeon peas. Climatic factors such as droughts and the El Niño phenomenon also continued to affect agricultural production across the region, influencing supply and prices.

Production dried shelled pigeon peas in Central America

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dried shelled pigeon peas, 2017-2020

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

Central America's production of dried shelled pigeon peas declined after two years of growth. In 2019, production reached its peak at 1 992 tonnes, but then fell by 27.2% in 2020 to 1 451 tonnes. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 27%, which translates to an average annual decline of 9.9%. The largest year-on-year increase occurred in 2019, at just 0.2%.

Annual dynamics of production in Central America in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports dried shelled pigeon peas from Central America

Exports in kind, t

In 2020, Central America exported 0.3 tonnes of dried shelled pigeon peas, showing minimal change from the 2019 level. Between 2017 and 2020, exports dropped by 99.6%, averaging an annual decrease of 83.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Venezuela was the overwhelmingly dominant buyer of dried shelled pigeon peas from Central America, accounting for 99.0% of total exports by volume.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of Central America's dried shelled pigeon peas exports was 0.4 thousand US dollars, with only marginal fluctuations compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, export value fell by 99.6%, representing an average annual decline of 84.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, the value of dried shelled pigeon peas exports from Central America was highly concentrated, with Venezuela accounting for 98.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports dried shelled pigeon peas to Central America

Imports in kind, t

The import market showed volatility during the observed period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 at 121.4 tonnes, then peaked in 2017, with a 3.1-fold difference between these years. In 2020, imports amounted to 150.1 tonnes, down 44.8% from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 67.3%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 123.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, imports by volume were dominated by a single market: Peru, which accounted for 99.8% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The import market exhibited volatility during these years. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 122.2 thousand US dollars, while the maximum was in 2017, with a 4.2-fold variation between them. In 2020, imports were valued at 160.2 thousand US dollars, marking a sharp decline of 45.4% year-over-year. The largest decrease occurred in 2018 at 76.4%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 140.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, dried shelled pigeon peas imports to Central America were primarily sourced from Peru, which absorbed 99.6% of total imports by value.

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

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