Peas market in Northern Africa

Earlier Report Observations

The market for fresh peas in Northern Africa expanded from 485 thousand tonnes in 2018 to 509 thousand tonnes in 2021, reflecting steady demand. Growth was followed by a period of relative stability with minor volume adjustments.

A severe contraction to 442 thousand tonnes occurred in 2022, driven by drought and heatwaves that reduced the pea harvest by an average of 20%, significantly curtailing domestic production and supply.

The market rebounded strongly to 539 thousand tonnes in 2023. This recovery was supported by investments in refrigerated transport and logistics infrastructure for fresh food, which improved distribution and market access across the region.

Production peas in Northern Africa

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of peas, 2017-2020

World map of production of peas, 2017-2020

Peas production in Northern Africa declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region produced 516.5 K t of peas, remaining stable compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production increased by 8.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.9%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 537.2 K t, which represented a 13.2% increase from the previous year. The largest decline occurred in 2019, with production falling by 3.8%.

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

Exports peas from Northern Africa

Exports in kind, t

The market displayed volatility during the observed period. Export volumes peaked in 2018 at 52 512 t, then declined to their lowest level in 2020 at 3 504 t, representing a 15-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Northern Africa's pea exports decreased by 1.0% compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2019 at 93.3%, while the largest increase occurred in 2018 at 1,264.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United Kingdom (18.1% of exports in kind), the Netherlands (17.3% of exports in kind), and Belgium (16.0% of exports in kind) were the top buyers of peas from Northern Africa. Together, these three countries accounted for 51.5% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Northern Africa's pea export value increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, the region exported 10 367 K $ US worth of peas, reflecting a 19.6% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, exports increased by 19.1%, equating to an annualized growth rate of 6.0%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 5 854 K $ US, which represented a 32.7% decline from the previous year. The largest increase occurred in 2019 at 48.1%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, the three largest markets for Northern Africa's pea exports in value terms were the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Belgium. Together, these countries accounted for 62.6% of total export flows.

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

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

Imports peas to Northern Africa

Imports in kind, t

The market showed signs of volatility over the observed period. Import volumes reached their maximum in 2017, then fell to their lowest point in 2018 at 88 t, representing a 5.8-fold variation between these years. In 2020, Northern Africa imported 235 t of peas, corresponding to a 37.7% drop from 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 82.7%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 330.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain (13.8% of imports in kind), the United Arab Emirates (9.6% of imports in kind), and Portugal (4.2% of imports in kind) were the main sources of pea imports to Northern Africa. Together, these three countries accounted for 27.5% of total import flows in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

The market exhibited an unstable trend throughout the timeframe. Import values peaked in 2019 at 632 K $ US, then fell to their lowest point in 2018 at 142 K $ US, representing a 4.4-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Northern Africa's pea import volume amounted to 406 K $ US, which was 35.7% weaker compared to 2019. The largest decline was recorded in 2018 at 76.2%, while the largest increase occurred in 2019 at 343.9%.

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

The data for 2017 to 2020 indicate that imports in value terms of peas to Northern Africa were not highly concentrated. Spain (16.9% of imports in value terms), the United Arab Emirates (11.3% of imports in value terms), and Portugal (4.0% of imports in value terms) jointly accounted for only 32.3% of total flows.

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

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