Pea production expected to increase in Russia

29-May-2025 06:04 PM

Winnipeg. Pea sowing is still underway in Canada, and weather conditions remain largely favourable, raising expectations for a normal harvest.

However, Canadian exporters may face significant challenges in finding new markets for the upcoming crop. With the Chinese market largely inaccessible and Russia gaining a stronger foothold there, Canada is likely to encounter stiff competition from Russia and other countries in its traditional export destinations.

The situation regarding pea imports in India also remains uncertain, though a government decision is expected soon.

Since December 2023, India has been importing yellow peas duty-free, while China continues to be a major importer. Meanwhile, pea production in Russia is projected to surge from 3.92 million tonnes in the 2024–25 season to a record 5.01 million tonnes in 2025–26.

This significant increase will result in a substantial surplus of exportable peas, prompting Russia to adopt an aggressive export strategy.

According to a leading analyst, Russia’s pea exports during the 2024–25 marketing season are expected to decline to 1.7 million tonnes—almost 50% less than the impressive 3.37 million tonnes exported in 2023–24.

The same analyst estimates that 2.43 million tonnes of the upcoming Russian pea crop will be available for export, though this is based on a production figure that could ultimately be lower—around 4.4 to 4.5 million tonnes—due to drought in some regions and dense fog in others.

Pea farming is becoming increasingly popular among Russian farmers, especially in the Siberian division, which is close to China and benefits from strong Chinese demand.

Unlike wheat, maize, and some oilseeds that are subject to high export duties in Russia, peas carry a lower duty, further encouraging their cultivation.