Pigeon Peas Market

The global pigeon peas market is projected to see continued growth in consumption volume and value over the next eight years. India is the largest consumer and producer of pigeon peas, with significant growth rates in both areas. Analysis of consumption, production, imports, and exports trends shows fluctuations in various countries, with India leading in both production and consumption metrics.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for pigeon peas worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +3.4% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 7.2M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +5.7% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $9.8B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Pigeon Peas

In 2022, the amount of pigeon peas consumed worldwide was estimated at 5.5M tons, with an increase of 4.1% on the previous year. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.0% over the period from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, consumption attained the peak volume of 6.8M tons. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the global consumption failed to regain momentum.

The global pigeon peas market revenue rose remarkably to $6.3B in 2022, increasing by 6% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Over the period under review, the total consumption indicated a prominent expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.8% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, consumption increased by +17.3% against 2019 indices. Global consumption peaked at $7.2B in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Consumption By Country

India (4.6M tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of pigeon peas consumption, accounting for 84% of total volume. Moreover, pigeon peas consumption in India exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, Malawi (352K tons), more than tenfold. Myanmar (129K tons) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 2.4% share.

In India, pigeon peas consumption increased at an average annual rate of +5.7% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: Malawi (+5.0% per year) and Myanmar (-8.0% per year).

In value terms, India ($5.6B) led the market, alone. The second position in the ranking was taken by Malawi ($240M). It was followed by Myanmar.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in India amounted to +8.5%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of market growth: Malawi (+5.3% per year) and Myanmar (-8.5% per year).

In 2022, the highest levels of pigeon peas per capita consumption was registered in Malawi (17 kg per person), followed by India (3.3 kg per person), Myanmar (2.3 kg per person) and Kenya (2.3 kg per person), while the world average per capita consumption of pigeon peas was estimated at less than 0.1 kg per person.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of the pigeon peas per capita consumption in Malawi stood at +2.2%. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of per capita consumption growth: India (+4.6% per year) and Myanmar (-8.7% per year).

Production

World Production of Pigeon Peas

Global pigeon peas production expanded to 5M tons in 2022, picking up by 1.6% against 2021. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% from 2012 to 2022; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 53%. As a result, production reached the peak volume of 6.5M tons. From 2018 to 2022, global production growth failed to regain momentum. The general positive trend in terms output was largely conditioned by temperate growth of the harvested area and a mild expansion in yield figures.

In value terms, pigeon peas production expanded modestly to $5.5B in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, the total production indicated a strong expansion from 2012 to 2022: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.3% over the last decade. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2022 figures, production decreased by -4.4% against 2020 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 57% against the previous year. As a result, production attained the peak level of $6.7B. From 2016 to 2022, global production growth failed to regain momentum.

Production By Country

India (3.7M tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of pigeon peas production, accounting for 75% of total volume. Moreover, pigeon peas production in India exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Malawi (419K tons), ninefold. Myanmar (327K tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 6.5% share.

In India, pigeon peas production expanded at an average annual rate of +3.5% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Malawi (+5.9% per year) and Myanmar (-5.0% per year).

Yield

The global average pigeon peas yield totaled 884 kg per ha in 2022, surging by 2% compared with 2021 figures. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +1.9% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the yield increased by 22%. Over the period under review, the average pigeon peas yield attained the maximum level at 978 kg per ha in 2018; however, from 2019 to 2022, the yield remained at a lower figure.

Harvested Area

In 2022, the global pigeon peas harvested area shrank to 5.7M ha, leveling off at the previous year's figure. Overall, the harvested area, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 25% against the previous year. As a result, the harvested area reached the peak level of 6.9M ha. From 2018 to 2022, the growth of the global pigeon peas harvested area remained at a lower figure.

Imports

World Imports of Pigeon Peas

In 2022, supplies from abroad of pigeon peas increased by 27% to 946K tons, rising for the fourth consecutive year after two years of decline. Overall, imports enjoyed significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 1,831%. Over the period under review, global imports attained the peak figure in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, pigeon peas imports surged to $688M in 2022. In general, imports continue to indicate significant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2013 with an increase of 1,134% against the previous year. Global imports peaked in 2022 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports By Country

The purchases of the one major importers of pigeon peas, namely India, represented more than two-thirds of total import.

India was also the fastest-growing in terms of the pigeon peas imports, with a CAGR of +10.0% from 2012 to 2022. While the share of India (+92 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, India ($634M) constitutes the largest market for imported pigeon peas worldwide.

In India, pigeon peas imports increased at an average annual rate of +11.2% over the period from 2012-2022.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average pigeon peas import price amounted to $727 per ton, dropping by -6% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a noticeable contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 an increase of 40% against the previous year. Global import price peaked at $1,041 per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices remained at a lower figure.

As there is only one major supplying country, the average price level is determined by prices for India.

From 2012 to 2022, the rate of growth in terms of prices for India amounted to +1.1% per year.

Exports

World Exports of Pigeon Peas

In 2022, shipments abroad of pigeon peas increased by 15% to 502K tons, rising for the fourth consecutive year after two years of decline. Over the period under review, exports saw a notable increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 85% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the maximum in 2022 and are likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

In value terms, pigeon peas exports rose rapidly to $324M in 2022. In general, exports continue to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 87%. The global exports peaked in 2022 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

Exports By Country

Myanmar was the largest exporter of pigeon peas in the world, with the volume of exports amounting to 198K tons, which was approx. 39% of total exports in 2022. Tanzania (108K tons) ranks second in terms of the total exports with a 21% share, followed by Malawi (13%), Mozambique (9.8%), Sudan (8%) and India (5%).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Mozambique (with a CAGR of +166.5%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Myanmar ($146M) emerged as the largest pigeon peas supplier worldwide, comprising 45% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Tanzania ($52M), with a 16% share of global exports. It was followed by Malawi, with an 11% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual growth rate of value in Myanmar stood at -3.1%. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Tanzania (-2.7% per year) and Malawi (+10.9% per year).

Export Prices By Country

The average pigeon peas export price stood at $644 per ton in 2022, falling by -3.8% against the previous year. In general, the export price continues to indicate a slight curtailment. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 when the average export price increased by 37%. As a result, the export price attained the peak level of $1,025 per ton. From 2016 to 2022, the average export prices failed to regain momentum.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was India ($1,198 per ton), while Mozambique ($352 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mozambique (+17.9%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform