Dried shelled pigeon peas market in Southern Asia, 2026

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the dried shelled pigeon pea market in Southern Asia experienced substantial growth, with production increasing from 3.3 million tons to over 4.3 million tons. This expansion was supported by a focused emphasis on pigeon pea cultivation for crop diversification and soil health, alongside strong consumer demand for split pigeon peas (dahl) that encouraged higher output.

After reaching a peak in 2020, production and market volume contracted in 2021 and fell sharply in 2022 to approximately 3.3 million tons. The decline was primarily linked to global supply chain disruptions that hindered agricultural operations and market stability, compounded by reduced import availability.

The market began to recover in 2023, with production rising to 3.4 million tons amid higher domestic prices and increased imports from Myanmar and Tanzania. Subsequent dynamics in 2024 have been characterized by price volatility and anticipation of lower ending stocks, reflecting ongoing adjustments in supply and demand.

Production dried shelled pigeon peas in Southern Asia

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

Southern Asia's production of dried shelled pigeon peas increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 4,333 thousand tonnes, marking a robust 10.9% increase from the previous year. Production reached its lowest point in 2018 at 3,332 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 22.6%. The most significant growth occurred in 2019 with a 17.3% increase.

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

Exports dried shelled pigeon peas from Southern Asia

Exports in kind, t

Exports of dried shelled pigeon peas from Southern Asia declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports fell to 21 tonnes, down 73.1% from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 91.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of -56.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Singapore accounted for 49.6% of exports in kind, followed by the United States at 15.0% and the United Arab Emirates at 10.8%. Together, these three markets comprised 75.4% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Export revenues from dried shelled pigeon peas in Southern Asia declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, exports reached 23 thousand US dollars, down 71.7% year-on-year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 93.8%, equating to an annualized decline of 60.5%.

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

Throughout 2017–2020, Singapore remained the largest market for exports in value terms, accounting for 45.7% of the total. The United States followed with 16.9%, and the United Arab Emirates with 9.8%. Collectively, these three destinations represented 72.4% of total export value.

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

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

Imports dried shelled pigeon peas to Southern Asia

Imports in kind, t

The import market for dried shelled pigeon peas in Southern Asia showed an unstable trend during this period. Imports reached their lowest point in 2019 at 7,454 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 72.9%. The peak was recorded in 2018 at 27,471 tonnes, resulting in a 3.7-fold variation between these years. In 2020, imports rebounded to 15,576 tonnes, up 109.0% from the previous year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Myanmar dominated imports in kind, accounting for 76.3% of total dried shelled pigeon peas imported into Southern Asia. The remaining imports were distributed among multiple smaller trading partners.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Import values for dried shelled pigeon peas in Southern Asia experienced noticeable fluctuations. The lowest point was in 2019 at 5,177 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 53.0%. The peak occurred in 2020, with imports reaching 11,400 thousand US dollars, showing a steep rise of 120.2% from the previous year and resulting in a 2.2-fold variation between these years.

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

Over the period from 2017 to 2020, Myanmar consistently accounted for 75.9% of total imports in value terms, indicating a high concentration on this market. The remaining share was distributed among other countries.

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

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