Peas market in Western Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The pea market in Western Asia began the period at 145.4 thous. t in 2018, supported by the expansion of cultivated area and rising interest in plant-based proteins across the Asia-Pacific region. However, market volume contracted to 131.9 thous. t in 2019, despite the ongoing background trend of growing demand for vegan and vegetarian diets.

A recovery followed in 2020, with the market reaching 144.4 thous. t. This turnaround was influenced by increased dry pea production and a surge in demand for healthy foods during the COVID-19 pandemic, which highlighted the value of plant proteins. Growth continued into 2021, with the market climbing to 151.1 thous. t, driven by consumer demand for convenient, healthy options and advancements in freezing and packaging technologies for frozen peas.

The market volume rose further to 152.7 thous. t in 2022, aided by factors such as the implementation of new EU food labeling regulations affecting vegetable producers and the expansion of e-commerce infrastructure in Asia-Pacific. A significant jump then occurred in 2023, with the market expanding to 182.0 thous. t, reflecting the sustained regional growth in pea production and consumption driven by long-term trends toward plant-based eating.

Production peas in Western Asia

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of peas, 2017-2020

World map of production of peas, 2017-2020

In 2019, Western Asia produced 129.3 thousand tonnes of peas, marking the lowest output in recent years with an 8.4% decline. However, production rebounded in 2020, reaching 141.7 thousand tonnes—a 9.6% year-over-year increase.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Peas production in Western Asia has grown for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 160.6 million US dollars, showing a strong 10.9% rise compared to 2019. From 2017 to 2020, production increased by 30.5%, with an average annual growth rate of 9.3%.

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

Exports peas from Western Asia

Exports in kind, t

Cross-border shipments of peas from Western Asia fell for the second year in a row. In 2020, exports dropped to 693 tonnes, a 53.7% decrease from 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports declined by 68%, with an average annual decrease of 31.6%. The highest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 3 277 tonnes, which saw a 51.5% increase, while the largest decline occurred in 2019 with a 54.4% drop.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the country structure of exports in kind was highly diversified. Iran accounted for 11.7% of exports, Canada for 5.7%, and Sudan for 3.0%, together making up just 20.4% of total flows. The remaining 79.6% was distributed among a long tail of smaller markets.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

Peas volumes leaving Western Asia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, exports were recorded at 785 thousand US dollars, reflecting an abrupt 53.2% decrease compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports fell by 58.8%, with an average annual decline of 25.6%. The peak value was in 2018 at 3 038 thousand US dollars, which saw a 59.6% increase.

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

From 2017 to 2020, exports in value terms of peas from Western Asia relied on a wide range of partner countries. Iran accounted for 9.9% of exports, the United States for 5.0%, and Canada for 3.5%, together taking just 18.4% of total flows.

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

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

Imports peas to Western Asia

Imports in kind, t

Imported peas volumes in Western Asia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports were recorded at 3 350 tonnes, marking a strong 17.5% reduction from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 35.9%, with an average annual decline of 13.8%. The highest import volume was in 2018 at 7 502 tonnes, which saw a 43.5% increase, while the largest drop occurred in 2019 with a 45.9% decline.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Pakistan, Ukraine, and Russia were the primary suppliers of peas to Western Asia. Pakistan accounted for 23.2% of imports in kind, Ukraine for 17.7%, and Russia for 11.5%, jointly making up 52.4% of total imports.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

Imported peas volumes in Western Asia declined for the second consecutive year. In 2020, imports amounted to 4 941 thousand US dollars, reflecting a robust 19.3% decline relative to the prior year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 19.1%, with an average annual decline of 6.8%. The maximum value was recorded in 2018 at 6 803 thousand US dollars, which saw an 11.4% increase.

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

The country composition of imports in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was dispersed. Pakistan accounted for 24.6% of imports, Kenya for 17.4%, and India for 6.3%, together forming just 48.2% of total flows, with the remaining 51.8% split among a wide range of other destinations.

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

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