Classification
Product TypeRaw Material
Product FormDried
Industry PositionPrimary Agricultural Product
Raw Material
Market
Dried peas in South Africa are an import-dependent pulse market. UN Comtrade/WITS (HS 071310) shows 2023 imports (12,842,300 kg; US$7.83m) exceeded exports (2,145,240 kg; US$2.82m), while limited domestic field pea production areas are recorded in the Western Cape and North West (Brits area). Import entry for regulated plant products requires an NPPOZA plant import permit and phytosanitary certification.
Market RoleImport-dependent consumer market (net importer for HS 071310 dried peas)
Domestic RoleFood pulse for household and food-manufacturing use, supplemented by imports
Specification
Primary VarietyField pea (Pisum sativum)
Supply Chain
Value Chain- Overseas supplier → sea freight → South African port operations (Durban/Cape Town) → NPPOZA inspection and document checks → SARS customs release → importer warehousing/repacking → domestic distribution
Freight IntensityHigh
Transport ModeSea
Risks
Sps Phytosanitary HighNon-compliance with South Africa’s phytosanitary import conditions for regulated plant products (e.g., missing/invalid import permit when required, or phytosanitary certificate issues) can result in detention and delayed or refused clearance at the port of entry.Confirm NPPOZA import-permit applicability and commodity-specific import conditions before shipment, ensure the exporter’s NPPO can certify the required phytosanitary statements, and align documents with the importer’s clearance file before dispatch.
Logistics HighOperational congestion and backlogs at major South African ports (notably Durban and Cape Town) can materially extend import lead times and disrupt availability for import-dependent commodities.Build schedule buffers into procurement lead times, use earlier shipment cutoffs during congestion periods, and pre-arrange storage and inland transport capacity to reduce dwell time once discharged.
Supply Dependence MediumBecause South Africa is a net importer for dried peas (HS 071310), disruptions in key supplier origins or shipping lanes can translate quickly into local availability and price volatility.Diversify approved origins and keep secondary suppliers qualified (documentation, phytosanitary capability, and commercial terms) to switch sourcing when a primary origin is disrupted.
FAQ
Is an import permit required to bring dried peas into South Africa?South Africa requires an NPPOZA plant import permit for plants and regulated plant products unless the product is exempt, and shipments must comply with South Africa’s phytosanitary import conditions. Where requirements are met, the exporting country’s NPPO issues the phytosanitary certificate that is checked at entry.
Which South African provinces are recorded as production areas for field peas?A South African Department of Agriculture legume reference lists field pea (Pisum sativum) production areas in the Western Cape and in the North West (particularly the Brits area).
Why are delivery lead times for imported dried peas into South Africa sometimes volatile?Recent analyses describe severe congestion and operational disruptions at major ports such as Durban and Cape Town, which can delay vessel berthing and container processing and extend inland delivery timelines for imports.