Dried shelled pigeon peas market in SADC

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for dried shelled pigeon peas in SADC showed considerable fluctuation between 2018 and 2023. After a decline to 404 тыс. т in 2019, the market rebounded to 473 тыс. т in 2020. This recovery was driven by a significant increase in production to 651 тыс. т, supported by rising interest in pigeon peas as a climate-resilient crop that could enhance food and nutrition security in the region.

Market volume then contracted over the next two years, falling to 293 тыс. т by 2022 as production eased and export volumes remained elevated. A sharp turnaround occurred in 2023, with production surging to 740 тыс. т and lifting the market volume to 497 тыс. т. During this year, export dynamics were affected by the delay of a crucial pigeon pea shipment from Mozambique to India.

Recent developments include the release of three improved pigeon pea varieties in Malawi, anticipated to address seed quality and boost production. Furthermore, South Africa gained formal opportunity to export pigeon peas to India under intra-BRICS trade frameworks, while legal disputes involving a major exporter in Mozambique introduced uncertainty for export channels.

Production dried shelled pigeon peas in SADC

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried shelled pigeon peas, 2017-2020

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

After a two-year decline, dried shelled pigeon pea production in SADC increased. In 2020, SADC produced 651.1 K t of dried shelled pigeon peas, marking a sharp 30.1% rise compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production fell by 14.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.2%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 500.5 K t, while the largest decline occurred in 2018 at 29.0%.

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

Exports dried shelled pigeon peas from SADC

Exports in kind, K t

The data shows irregular changes, pointing to a volatile market environment. Export volumes dropped to their lowest point in 2018 and then climbed to their highest in 2020, representing a 40-fold shift. In 2020, dried shelled pigeon peas leaving SADC totaled 189.8 K t, a 96.1% increase from 2019. The minimum value was 4.7 K t in 2018, with the largest decline that year at 90.7%. The largest increase was recorded in 2019 at 1,945.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India dominated the country structure of exports in kind, accounting for 88.1% of total flows, while other destinations remained relatively small.

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

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this period. Exports in value terms hit a trough in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 30-fold fluctuation. In 2020, foreign dried shelled pigeon pea supplies from SADC amounted to 92 682 K $ US, an 86.0% increase compared to 2019. The minimum value was 3 104 K $ US in 2018, with the largest decline that year at 85.9%. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 1,505.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, India consistently represented 89.1% of total exports in value terms, highlighting a high concentration on this market, with the remainder shared among other countries.

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 pigeon peas to SADC

Imports in kind, K t

Market performance exhibited noticeable fluctuations during this period. Imports bottomed in 2018 and peaked in 2020, differing by 110 times. In 2020, SADC imported a total of 11.6 K t of dried shelled pigeon peas, up by 1,775.3% from the previous year. The minimum value was 0.1 K t in 2018, with the largest decline that year at 84.3%.

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

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

The market displayed an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Imports reached their lowest point in 2018 and their highest in 2020, with a 29-fold difference. In 2020, SADC imported a total of 14 858 K $ US of dried shelled pigeon peas, indicating a 1,989.6% year-over-year increase. The minimum value was 511 K $ US in 2018, with the largest decline that year at 89.0%.

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

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

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