SADC: Pigeon Peas Market 2025

Pigeon Peas Market Size in SADC

The SADC pigeon peas market shrank to $X in 2021, reducing by -6.6% against the previous year. In general, consumption enjoyed a slight increase. The level of consumption peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Pigeon Peas Production in SADC

In value terms, pigeon peas production contracted to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 with an increase of 52% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2016 to 2021, production growth remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Malawi (X tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of pigeon peas production, comprising approx. 60% of total volume. Moreover, pigeon peas production in Malawi exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, Tanzania (X tons), twofold.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume in Malawi stood at +7.4%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: Tanzania (+0.2% per year) and Mozambique (+8.0% per year).

The average pigeon peas yield expanded rapidly to X tons per ha in 2021, picking up by 11% on 2020 figures. The yield figure increased at an average annual rate of +5.4% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the yield increased by 33% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the pigeon peas yield attained the peak level in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the near future. Despite the increased use of modern agricultural techniques and methods, future yield figures may still be impacted by adverse weather conditions.

The pigeon peas harvested area reached X ha in 2021, approximately equating the previous year. Overall, the harvested area, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when the harvested area increased by 13%. As a result, the harvested area attained the peak level of X ha. From 2018 to 2021, the growth of the pigeon peas harvested area remained at a somewhat lower figure.

Pigeon Peas Exports

Exports in SADC

In 2021, shipments abroad of pigeon peas increased by 28% to X tons, rising for the third consecutive year after two years of decline. Over the period under review, exports showed strong growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 71%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, pigeon peas exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. In general, exports saw a resilient increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 when exports increased by 86%. The level of export peaked at $X in 2015; however, from 2016 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

Exports by Country

Tanzania represented the largest exporter of pigeon peas in SADC, with the volume of exports resulting at X tons, which was approx. 84% of total exports in 2021. It was distantly followed by Mozambique (X tons), creating a 13% share of total exports.

Exports from Tanzania increased at an average annual rate of +9.5% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Mozambique (+224.4%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Mozambique emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in SADC, with a CAGR of +224.4% from 2012-2021. While the share of Mozambique (+13 p.p.) and Tanzania (+7.6 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Tanzania ($X) remains the largest pigeon peas supplier in SADC, comprising 82% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by Mozambique ($X), with a 15% share of total exports.

In Tanzania, pigeon peas exports expanded at an average annual rate of +7.0% over the period from 2012-2021.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in SADC stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 16% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, saw a slight setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 an increase of 42% against the previous year. As a result, the export price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2016 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Average prices varied noticeably amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Mozambique ($X per ton), while Tanzania amounted to $X per ton.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Mozambique (+51.0%).

Pigeon Peas Imports

Imports in SADC

After four years of growth, overseas purchases of pigeon peas decreased by -16.4% to X tons in 2021. Overall, imports, however, recorded strong growth. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 with an increase of 255%. The volume of import peaked at X tons in 2020, and then fell sharply in the following year.

In value terms, pigeon peas imports fell notably to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, saw buoyant growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 350% against the previous year. The level of import peaked at $X in 2020, and then fell sharply in the following year.

Imports by Country

Zimbabwe was the largest importing country with an import of about X tons, which accounted for 73% of total imports. It was distantly followed by South Africa (X tons) and Lesotho (X tons), together constituting a 22% share of total imports. Democratic Republic of the Congo (X tons) took a little share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to pigeon peas imports into Zimbabwe stood at +12.5%. At the same time, South Africa (+121.8%), Lesotho (+54.5%) and Democratic Republic of the Congo (+38.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, South Africa emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in SADC, with a CAGR of +121.8% from 2012-2021. From 2012 to 2021, the share of South Africa, Lesotho and Democratic Republic of the Congo increased by +16, +6.4 and +1.7 percentage points, respectively.

In value terms, Zimbabwe ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported pigeon peas in SADC, comprising 64% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by South Africa ($X), with a 17% share of total imports. It was followed by Lesotho, with a 12% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Zimbabwe amounted to +15.6%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: South Africa (+116.6% per year) and Lesotho (+41.2% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in SADC amounted to $X per ton, waning by -10.7% against the previous year. Import price indicated a measured expansion from 2012 to 2021: its price increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, pigeon peas import price decreased by -39.0% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 an increase of 49% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton. From 2017 to 2021, the import prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Lesotho ($X per ton), while Zimbabwe ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Zimbabwe (+2.7%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform