Dried shelled pigeon peas market in India

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for dried shelled pigeon peas in India rose from 3.8 million tonnes in 2018 to 4.9 million tonnes in 2021, fueled by the Minimum Support Price policy and the National Food Security Mission, which incentivized farmers to expand cultivation. This period also saw growing demand from organized retail and rising disposable incomes, increasing consumption of pulse-based snacks.

India's position as the world's leading producer and importer, accounting for over 77% of global output and 92% of imports by 2021, highlighted strong domestic consumption. Public research institutions, including ICAR and ICRISAT, contributed by developing improved pigeon pea varieties to boost yields and address crop challenges.

Market volume fell to 4.2 million tonnes in 2022 due to a sharp drop in domestic production, though higher imports partly filled the gap. A partial recovery to 4.3 million tonnes followed in 2023, but weather-related disruptions and import delays constrained supply, while consumer shifts toward plant-based proteins continued to influence long-term demand.

Production dried shelled pigeon peas in India

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

From 2017 to 2020, India held the top position globally in the production of dried shelled pigeon peas.

Top producers of dried shelled pigeon peas, 2017-2020

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

India's production of dried shelled pigeon peas grew for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 4 316 K t, marking a significant increase of 10.9% compared to the previous year. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 315 K t, which also saw the largest decline of 22.7%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the largest increase of 17.4%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

The value of dried shelled pigeon peas production in India rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 5 358 M $ US, reflecting a robust year-over-year growth of 14.9%. Over the 2017-2020 period, production increased by 9.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 3.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 3 347 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 31.7%. Meanwhile, 2019 posted the largest increase of 39.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in India in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports dried shelled pigeon peas from India

Exports in kind, K t

Market performance showed notable fluctuations during this period. Exports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 8.8 K t, with the largest decline of 24.3% occurring in 2018. In 2020, India's exports of dried shelled pigeon peas surged to 19.2 K t, up by 118.7% compared to 2019, marking the peak and resulting in a 2.2-fold variation between the minimum and maximum.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates were the primary destinations for exports in kind. The United States accounted for 41.6% of exports, Canada for 18.0%, and the United Arab Emirates for 12.6%, collectively representing 72.2% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

The data indicates irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 at 9.2 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 33.1%. In 2020, exports from India amounted to 23.8 M $ US, showing a steep gain of 126.6% compared to 2019, reaching the peak and resulting in a 2.6-fold variation between the trough and peak.

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

Over the 2017-2020 period, the United States, Canada, and the United Arab Emirates were the main destinations for exports in value terms. The United States accounted for 47.9% of exports, Canada for 16.7%, and the United Arab Emirates for 9.9%, together absorbing 74.5% of total export value from India.

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

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

Imports dried shelled pigeon peas to India

Imports in kind, K t

In 2020, India's imports of dried shelled pigeon peas totaled 449.1 K t, down by 9.2% year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 6.2%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.1%. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 494.7 K t, which also saw the largest increase of 7.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Mozambique, Myanmar, and Tanzania were the key suppliers of dried shelled pigeon peas to India in terms of volume. Mozambique accounted for 37.1% of imports, Myanmar for 34.5%, and Tanzania for 16.3%, jointly forming 87.8% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

In 2020, cross-border shipments of dried shelled pigeon peas to India stood at 303.5 M $ US, a decrease of 2.1% compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 7.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.5%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 203.6 M $ US, which also saw the largest decline of 27.7%. The highest value was in 2019 at 310.1 M $ US, posting the largest increase of 52.3%.

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

In 2017-2020, Mozambique, Myanmar, and Tanzania led the import structure in value terms. Mozambique accounted for 37.6% of imports, Myanmar for 35.3%, and Tanzania for 15.9%, together representing 88.8% of total import flows.

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

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