Peas market in Italy

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for fresh or chilled peas in Italy fluctuated between 73 000 t and 90 000 t from 2018 to 2023. After reaching 89 665 t in 2018, it dipped to 85 476 t in 2019, recovered to 89 542 t in 2020, then fell sharply to 80 700 t in 2021 and further to 73 101 t in 2022, before a modest rebound to 75 473 t in 2023.

The decline in 2021 coincided with a growing consumer preference for frozen peas due to convenience and health trends, where 58% of households bought frozen peas for practicality, potentially diverting demand from the fresh segment. In 2022, despite an earlier harvest and favorable pedoclimatic conditions in the Marche region that extended the season, the overall market volume continued to shrink.

The market recovery in 2023 was supported by significant investments in cold-chain logistics, which boosted refrigerated transport by 19% and reduced spoilage by 13%, enhancing the availability and quality of fresh peas. Major players like Conserve Italia utilized pea varieties with different maturity periods to ensure freshness, while Orto Verde processed 170 000 quintals for freezing within three hours of harvest, exporting 15% of its output to the United States.

Production peas in Italy

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Between 2017 and 2020, Italy ranked as the 15th largest producer of peas globally.

Top producers of peas, 2017-2020

World map of production of peas, 2017-2020

In 2020, Italy produced 80 410 tonnes of peas, representing a slight increase of 1.0% compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 6.4%, which translates to an annualized decline of 2.2%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 86 270 tonnes, while the lowest was in 2019 at 79 650 tonnes. The most significant drop occurred in 2019, with a decrease of 7.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Italy in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports peas from Italy

Exports in kind, t

Italy exported 2 180 tonnes of peas in 2020, reflecting a strong year-over-year decline of 10.8%. From 2017 to 2020, exports decreased by 7.5%, equating to an annualized rate of 2.6%. The lowest export volume was in 2018 at 1 563 tonnes, and the highest was in 2019 at 2 444 tonnes. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 33.7%, while the most substantial increase occurred in 2019, rising by 56.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Denmark, France, and Germany were the primary buyers of peas from Italy, accounting for 28.4%, 26.2%, and 10.0% of exports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries represented 64.6% of Italy's total pea exports in volume terms.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Italy's pea exports in value terms increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports amounted to 5 946 thousand US dollars, remaining nearly flat compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, exports grew by 9.5%, with an annualized rate of 3.1%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 4 942 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 9.0%, while the most significant increase was in 2019, rising by 20.1%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Denmark, France, and Czechia consistently held leading positions in Italy's pea export structure by value. Denmark accounted for 33.3% of exports, France for 22.7%, and Czechia for 9.3%, collectively representing 65.4% of total export flows in monetary terms.

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

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

Imports peas to Italy

Imports in kind, t

Italy's volume of pea imports increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports reached 11 313 tonnes, marking a 36.8% rise compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports surged by 109.6%, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 28.0%. The lowest import volume was in 2018 at 4 957 tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 8.2%, while the most substantial increase was in 2019, growing by 66.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, France, Romania, and Germany were the main sources of pea imports to Italy, accounting for 52.6%, 11.0%, and 9.5% of imports in kind, respectively. Together, these three countries made up 73.2% of Italy's total pea imports by volume.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Italy's volume of pea imports in value terms increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, imports registered 4 001 thousand US dollars, showing a 7.0% rise over the past year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 54.4%, with a CAGR of 15.6%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 2 455 thousand US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2018 at 5.3%, while the most significant increase was in 2019, rising by 52.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, France, Spain, and the Netherlands consistently occupied leading positions in Italy's pea import structure by value. France accounted for 35.3% of imports, Spain for 18.8%, and the Netherlands for 9.3%, collectively representing 63.5% of total import flows in monetary terms.

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

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