India has extended zero duty on the import of peas until October 24, which will boost supplies from Ukraine

The Indian authorities have extended the zero duty on the import of peas until October 24, which will allow Ukraine to increase the export of the new crop and get a high price.

From 2020 to December 2023, Ukraine did not export peas to India, as there was a 50% duty on the import of these products. After lowering the duty rate, Ukraine supplied 44,500 tons of peas to India.

Experts believe that depending on the demand and prices for peas in India, the zero duty rate can be extended until March 2025, and the total import of peas in 2024/25 MY (April-March) will reach 3 million tons.

"By the end of the year, the demand for Ukrainian yellow peas will remain stable, and prices will continue to rise, and in 2024 they will amount to at least $325/t," predicts A. Sklyarenko, head of the NGO "Association of Bean Producers and Consumers of Ukraine".

According to the Ministry of Agricultural Policy, as of May 5, 161.1 thousand hectares were sown with peas in Ukraine, and in 2023 - 128.6 thousand hectares.

AgMin experts expect that in 2024 Ukraine will harvest 360,300 tons of peas, while in 2023 the harvest amounted to 384,000 tons, and in pre-war 2021 - 566,300 tons.

The Association "Ukraine Legumes" believes that in 2024 the pea harvest in Ukraine will be 400,000 tons, and domestic consumption will be only 40,000 tons, so 360,000 tons will be able to be exported.

Deep processing and production of pea protein greatly increases the use of peas.

Pea protein is used in sports and dietary nutrition, in a gluten-free diet, is added to food products to increase their nutritional value, and is used in animal husbandry as a high-protein feed. In 2020, the world market for pea protein was only 230,000 tons. But by 2025, it will grow by 13.5% against the background of increased consumption of vegetable proteins.

Pea starch is used in the production of meat products, dry breakfasts and snacks, sauces, candies. Pea flour is used in cooking, medicine and cosmetology. It provides the required consistency of products.

Canada, the USA, Belgium, France and China are the world's largest processors of peas.