Russia has emerged as the leading exporter of peas to China, capturing nearly half of the market and surpassing Canada within a two-year span since entering the market. According to the Union of Grain Exporters, Russia's pea exports to China reached 1.13 million tons in the 2023/24 season, constituting a 49.1% market share, while Canada's share declined to 44.6%. This shift occurs as Russia expands its footprint in China's import market for agricultural products, amidst ongoing trade tensions between China and various Western nations.
Peas, utilized for producing pea protein in China—a key ingredient in numerous dietary products—are witnessing growing demand. Despite Russia's increasing pea production, the nation lacks the infrastructure for pea protein production, unlike China, which is a significant producer and exporter of the product. Furthermore, the U.S. Department of Commerce has imposed anti-dumping duties on Chinese pea protein, citing unfair pricing practices.
Source: reuters.com