Market
Fresh peas (Pisum sativum) in India are primarily a cool-season (winter) vegetable crop, with sowing commonly in October–November and harvest timing varying by sowing date and variety. The market is predominantly domestic-consumption oriented, but India also records small exports of fresh/chilled peas under HS 070810. UN Comtrade data (via WITS) reports India exported about USD 1.80 million (about 1.17 million kg) of HS 070810 in 2024, with France among the reported destinations. Imports of HS 070810 into India are comparatively small in reported trade data, but do occur (e.g., from Malawi and Thailand in 2024).
Market RoleMajor producer and domestic consumer market with small export volumes
Domestic RoleSeasonal cool-season vegetable crop supplying domestic fresh markets
SeasonalityWinter (rabi) season production is emphasized, with sowing commonly in October–November and harvest windows extending from December into late winter depending on sowing date and variety.
Risks
Regulatory Compliance HighImport clearance can be blocked or delayed if a pea consignment does not meet India’s plant quarantine phytosanitary certification and any commodity/origin-specific additional declaration or treatment requirements under the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003.Confirm the exact Plant Quarantine conditions for the commodity form and origin before shipment; ensure the phytosanitary certificate and any required endorsements/additional declarations match India’s requirements and that the consignment is free of soil/plant debris as applicable.
Logistics MediumFresh peas are quality-sensitive and can incur high shrink if cold storage and rapid distribution are not maintained, especially for longer-distance domestic movement or international air/sea legs.Use disciplined post-harvest sorting/grading/packaging and cold-chain steps (including cool storage where available); align harvest and dispatch schedules to minimize dwell time.
Food Safety MediumPesticide-residue and related compliance scrutiny is an active regulatory theme for fresh fruits and vegetables in India, creating risk of enforcement action or market disruption for non-compliant lots.Implement residue management (GAP-aligned pesticide use, pre-harvest intervals, and testing where appropriate) and maintain records to support investigations/market surveillance.
Climate MediumPea is described as a cool-season crop with optimal growth temperatures in a relatively narrow band, making yields and quality vulnerable to heat anomalies during the winter production window.Select varieties suited to early/normal sowing windows for the target region; adjust sowing dates and irrigation scheduling to reduce heat stress during sensitive stages.
Phytosanitary MediumMajor diseases and pests affecting pea cultivation in India include powdery mildew, rust and fusarium wilt, and pests such as pod borer and aphids, which can raise rejection risk for export programs and reduce marketable yield.Use integrated pest and disease management, including resistant/tolerant varieties where available and field sanitation; apply buyer-agreed inspection and sorting standards at packing.
Sustainability- Irrigation and water management during critical growth stages (flowering and pod filling) in cool-season pea production
- Pesticide-residue scrutiny in fresh fruits and vegetables (surveillance and enforcement focus)
FAQ
When are fresh peas typically sown and harvested in India?ICAR guidance describes peas as a winter crop with sowing commonly in October–November. Harvest timing varies by sowing date and variety; for example, ICAR-IIVR notes harvest can occur roughly 90–110 days after sowing, while ICAR-IARI describes an early-sown October variety (Pusa Shree) with harvest about 50–55 days after sowing.
Which pea varieties are commonly referenced by Indian public research institutions?ICAR-IIVR lists varieties such as Kashi Nandini, Kashi Uday, Kashi Purvi and Kashi Arkel. ICAR-IARI also describes the garden pea variety Pusa Shree and notes its recommendation for cultivation in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Does India export fresh/chilled peas?Yes. UN Comtrade data accessed via the World Bank’s WITS portal reports India exported fresh/chilled peas under HS 070810 in 2024, including reported shipments to France, Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh and the United Arab Emirates.
What are the most important compliance steps for importing fresh peas into India?Imports may be subject to India’s plant quarantine requirements (including phytosanitary certification and any origin/commodity-specific declarations or treatments under the Plant Quarantine Order). Imported food articles are also processed through FSSAI’s Food Import Clearance System (FICS), which involves document scrutiny, inspection, and risk-based sampling/testing coordinated with Customs ICEGATE.