Peas market in China

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, China's fresh or chilled pea production increased from 11 752 thousand tons to 12 071 thousand tons, while the market volume grew from 11 736 thousand tons to 12 059 thousand tons. The more pronounced rise in market value, from 17 020 million US dollars to 23 523 million US dollars, reflected a shift towards higher-value pea processing. Initial growth in physical output was supported by the adoption of standardized cultivation techniques—such as dense row planting, trellising, and improved harvesting methods—which boosted yields and quality, particularly in fresh pea-growing regions.

By 2023, the expansion of the pea protein sector, fueled by increasing consumer demand for plant-based products and health awareness, became a key driver of market value. Major industry players like Yuwang Group and Harbin Hi-tech Soybean Food scaled up pea processing for protein ingredients. Government-led production guidelines and the launch of a national smart agriculture initiative in 2024 further emphasized efficiency gains and technological modernization across the pea farming sector.

Production peas in China

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

China was one of the world's top producers of peas from 2017 to 2020, consistently ranking first in production volume during this period.

Top producers of peas, 2017-2020

World map of production of peas, 2017-2020

China's pea production grew for the third year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 12 199 thousand tons of peas, marking a slight increase of 2.0% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, production rose by 5%, with an average annual growth rate of 1.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

China's pea production value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 21 182 million US dollars, up by 21.4% from 2019. Between 2017 and 2020, production value grew by 16.4%, translating to an annualized rate of 5.2%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 17 044 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 6.3% that year.

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

Exports peas from China

Exports in kind, t

After two years of growth, China's pea exports declined. In 2020, exports totaled 17 459 tons, down 4.6% from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 14.8%, with an average annual growth rate of 4.7%. The peak was reached in 2019 with 18 302 tons, which also experienced the largest increase of 14.0% that year.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the main markets for China's pea exports in volume were Thailand (42.0% of exports), Vietnam (24.7% of exports), and Malaysia (16.2% of exports). Together, these three countries accounted for 82.8% of total export flows.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

China's pea export value rose for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were valued at 30 316 thousand US dollars, increasing by 13.5% compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, export value grew by 27.3%, with an average annual rate of 8.4%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 23 290 thousand US dollars, which saw the largest decline of 2.2% that year. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 14.6%.

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

During 2017-2020, the biggest contributors to China's pea export value were Thailand (35.3% of exports), Vietnam (28.1% of exports), and Malaysia (14.4% of exports). Collectively, these three markets represented 77.7% of total export flows in value terms.

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

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

Imports peas to China

According to industry reports, China did not import any peas from 2017 to 2020.