Demand and Production Rise Swiftly for Argentinian Green Peas

Green pea production in Argentina is growing rapidly. With a rising global population, the demand for peas is increasing, as they are a good source of protein for both humans and animals. Also important for Argentinian farmers: peas are an ideal crop during winter months. Agro Redes SRL in Argentina, which operates under the name Chadileo SRL in Uruguay, explains the growth in pea production and export from Argentina.

Ideal Growing Conditions Causes Increase in Argentinian Pea Production

Although pea production is not popular yet, Chadileo SRL sees strong growth yearly. This is partly caused by ideal growing conditions for peas in Argentina. Not only does it lead to higher quality peas with high protein content, but planting peas during winter months also benefits the soil. Peas are usually grown as a rotation crop during winter months. They deposit a lot of nutrients in the soil, providing beneficial growing conditions for summer crops, such as soybean and corn. Due to the high protein levels in Argentinian peas, they are demanded for human consumption and the livestock industry alike.

The peas are harvested at the end of November and throughout December. Chadileo SRL explains that the peas are harvested when they are dried, like most of their crops are. Argentinian weather allows for the crops to dry naturally in the field. There is no machinery used to further dry the peas, the company only uses a natural method to dry its products. Once the peas in the field hit a moisture level of below 13%, they are harvested and stored.

Despite ideal growing conditions, producing peas in Argentina is still quite challenging for most farmers. There is a lack of information on best practices as peas are not widely produced yet. However, more farmers are venturing into the pea business due to high profitability. Often, pea farmers are able to obtain a good deal for their peas before even sowing the seeds, causing a lot of security for the farmers. Furthermore, because peas are not widely produced, farmers that do deal with the product are able to receive relatively higher benefits compared to other crops.

Low Price and High Protein-Levels Make Argentinian Peas Popular Abroad

Argentina is the 9th largest pea exporter in the world and one of the largest pea exporters in the southern hemisphere. This gives the country a distinct advantage: it is able to supply peas when there is a low supply in other pea-producing countries. As of yet, the major markets for Argentinian peas are Brazil and India, followed by Senegal, Myanmar, Russia, and Italy. Argentinian peas are slightly lower priced than the world average, making them popular in Africa and Southeast Asia.

Chadileo SRL is very positive about the upcoming years. Pea production and consumption are rising and they expect demand from India and Africa, their main exporting regions, to rise as well. The team of the company is very young and passionate about their production. With a company based in two countries, they aim to export the best products from each country and grow their crops using a combination of natural methods and the latest technology to ensure quality.