Peas market in New Zealand

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2020, the market for fresh or chilled peas in New Zealand contracted, with production falling from 29 501 t to 24 738 t and overall market volume declining to 24 737 t. This downward trend halted in 2021, as production stabilized around 24 848 t.

A sharp rebound occurred from 2022, driven by robust growth in the pea processing sector. Rising global demand for pea protein and processed ingredients pushed processed pea export value to $115.4 million in 2021 and then to $140.16 million in 2022, a 21.5% increase. This expansion, supported by significant local processing capacity like the Watties Hastings factory, heightened demand for fresh peas as raw material, leading production to surge to 30 586 t in 2022.

Production remained high at 30 595 t in 2023, sustained by established processing networks in regions like Hawke’s Bay that enabled new growers to enter the market. While fresh pea availability is seasonal, the underlying strength came from continuous consumer preference for plant-based proteins and locally sourced produce, which kept demand steady.

Production peas in New Zealand

In kind, 2018-2021, t

Between 2018 and 2021, New Zealand ranked as the 25th largest producer of peas globally.

Top producers of peas, 2018-2021

World map of production of peas, 2018-2021

Following a two-year decline, New Zealand's pea production volume increased in 2021. Production reached 24 848 tonnes that year, remaining broadly stable compared to 2020. Over the 2018-2021 period, overall production decreased by 15.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 5.6%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2020 at 24 738 tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 10.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, t

Exports peas from New Zealand

Exports in kind, kg

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Export volumes reached their peak in 2020 and fell to their lowest point in 2021, representing a 72-fold difference between these years. In 2021, New Zealand exported 394 kilograms of peas, marking a sharp year-over-year decline of 98.6%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2020 at 28 237 kilograms, which also experienced the largest increase of 1 194.1%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, kg

From 2018 to 2021, Australia dominated New Zealand's pea export structure in kind, accounting for 73.7% of total flows, while other markets played a less significant role.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021

Exports in value, K $ US

Volatility characterized the market during these years. Export values peaked in 2020 and reached their minimum in 2021, with a 19-fold difference between the highest and lowest points. In 2021, New Zealand's pea exports totaled 1.3 thousand US dollars, representing a decrease of 94.8% compared to 2020. The maximum value was recorded in 2020 at 24.5 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest increase of 244.8%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Australia (38.9% of exports in value terms), Singapore (21.6%), and New Caledonia (7.3%) emerged as the main markets for New Zealand's pea exports in value terms, together accounting for 67.8% of total flows.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's exports from New Zealand in value, 2018-2021

Imports peas to New Zealand

Imports in kind, kg

After a two-year decrease, foreign pea supplies to New Zealand increased in 2021. Imports reached 33 052 kilograms that year, showing a substantial rise of 21.5% compared to the previous year. Between 2018 and 2021, overall imports decreased by 48.3%, equating to an annualized rate of 19.8%. The lowest import volume was recorded in 2020 at 27 208 kilograms, which also experienced the largest decline of 55.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021, kg

From 2018 to 2021, Zimbabwe (56.2% of imports in kind), the United States (21.4%), and Zambia (18.1%) led the structure of pea imports in kind to New Zealand, together representing 95.7% of total flows.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to New Zealand in kind, 2018-2021

Imports in value, K $ US

In 2021, New Zealand's pea import value reached 444.3 thousand US dollars, up by 48.4% year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2020 at 299.3 thousand US dollars, while the maximum value occurred in 2019 at 501.7 thousand US dollars. The largest decline was recorded in 2020 at 40.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to New Zealand in value, 2018-2021, K $ US

Between 2018 and 2021, Zimbabwe (52.6% of imports in value terms), the United States (23.1%), and Zambia (21.3%) were the main suppliers of peas to New Zealand, together comprising 97.0% of total imports in value terms.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2021

World map of product's imports to New Zealand in value, 2018-2021