Dry peas (Pisum sativum) have the largest production of all special crops in Canada. There are several varieties of dry peas grown in Canada including yellow, green, maple, green marrowfat, and Austrian winter peas. The determination of which pea is produced is dependent upon whether the peas are destined for the feed or food market. The yellow pea is the most widely seeded and produced, with approximately 40 varieties registered in Canada, while the newest type, the green marrowfat, has two registered varieties.

Dry peas are a cool season crop with a relatively shallow root system. They are generally as drought tolerant as cereal grains, but cannot tolerate heat stress during flowering. Dry peas are best suited to the black soil zone, with well drained clay loam soils. They have performed well in all areas of the Prairies, especially in summers with cool and moist conditions. Peas should not be grown on the same field more than once every four years to avoid the rapid increase of soil-bourne and foliar diseases. Dry pea production provides an agronomically sound way of extending and improving crop rotations. The crop following dry peas in the rotation generally yields more than the same crop grown after cereals or oilseeds.

Area of Production

The majority of the area harvested of Canadian dry peas is concentrated in Saskatchewan, with the remainder in Alberta, Manitoba, and British Columbia. The harvested area for dry peas was 835 thousand hectares in 1999 and increased 46% in 2000 to reach 1.2 million hectares. Area of production rose again in 2001 to 1.3 million hectares, but decreased 18% in 2002 to 1 million hectares. The harvested area rebounded in 2003, growing to 1.3 million hectares. Harvested area is forecast to increase slightly in 2004 ⁽¹⁾

Yield

Dry pea yields have decreased over the last five years. Yield decreased annually from 2.70 tonnes per hectare in 1999 to 1.30 tonnes per hectare in 2002, a 52% decrease. The largest drop occurred in 2001, when dry pea yield decreased by 30% from 2.35 tonnes per hectare in 2000 to 1.57 tonnes per hectare, due to the drought affecting western Canada. In 2003, dry pea yield saw its first increase in 5 years, rising to 1.67 tonnes per hectare. The forecast for 2004 is for yield to increase marginally to 1.8 tonnes per hectare ⁽¹⁾

Volume of Production

Canada is the world's largest producer of dry peas, accounting for 20% of world production in 2003. As previously mentioned, Canadian dry pea production occurs mainly in western Canada, particularly in Saskatchewan which produced approximately 70% of Canadian dry peas in 2003. In 1999, dry pea production was 2.3 million tonnes, increasing 27% to reach a decade high of 2.9 million tonnes in 2000. The decade high was followed by two consecutive decreases in 2001 and 2002, dropping to 2 million tonnes and 1.4 million tonnes, respectively, a decline of over 50% from the 2000 level. Dry pea production rebounded in 2003, rising 56% to 2.1 million tonnes. Dry pea production is expected to increase in 2004 to 2.4 million tonnes due to an increase in seeded area and higher yields. Production is expected to increase for the yellow, green, and other types of dry peas ⁽¹⁾

Disposition

Canada is the world's largest exporter of dry peas, with a 47% share of the market in 2003. Since 1999, Canada has increased its export quantity of dry peas steadily, increasing from 1.6 million tonnes to 2 million tonnes in 2001. The export quantity dropped drastically in 2002, down 60% to 0.8 million tonnes, giving France the lead in terms of both export quantity and production. The low export quantity is due mainly to decreased production caused by the poor weather conditions in western Canada. Canadian dry pea export volume recovered in 2003, rising to 1 million tonnes, with Canada regaining its position as the world's top exporter. Most Canadian dry pea exports are shipped in bulk, in the form of whole peas.

In 2003, India was the largest importer of Canadian dry peas, with a 33% share followed by Spain, Bangladesh, Italy, and Ireland. Canadian exports are forecast to increase in 2004, due to increased supply and lower prices ⁽¹⁾

Additional Information

There are two uses for dry peas, livestock feed and human food. For livestock feed, dry peas are a good source of energy, and contain amounts of digestible energy similar to wheat. Dry peas are known for having high quality protein which complements the proteins from cereals and canola meal to enhance the nutritional quality of the feed when combined together. Food use of dry peas includes canning, split, and whole dry markets, as well as products such as flour, starch, and fibre. These products are then used in baked goods, baking mixes, soup mixes, breakfast cereals, processed meats, health foods, pastas, and purees. Dry peas are an excellent source of protein, fibre, and complex carbohydrates as well as a good source of potassium and B vitamins.

Food quality dry peas are sold at a higher price than the feed quality type, with green peas usually selling at a premium to yellow peas in the food market. The maple type of dry pea is used as a component of bird seed mixtures and for livestock feed, while the green marrowfat type is cultivated for the confectionary market, primarily in Asia. The yellow and green types of dry peas may be produced for both livestock feed and human consumption, with only the higher quality grades selected for the latter use.

For the latest market information and analysis available from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, please consult the following publications:

⁽¹⁾ Forecast based on August-July crop year, Market Analysis Division, Strategic Policy Branch, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, April 28, 2004.


Date Modified: 2005-03-08		Important Notices
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