Russia has reached the top position as the primary peas exporter to China, seizing nearly half of the market and surpassing Canada within a span of less than two years. This achievement follows Russia’s recent access to the lucrative $1 billion Chinese market. According to Russia’s Union of Grain Exporters, the country exported 1.13 million tons of peas to China during the 2023/24 agricultural season, securing a 49.1% market share. Canada’s share, previously dominant at around 95%, has now fallen to 44.6%.
This rapid ascent in Russia’s pea exports highlights the nation’s growing presence in China’s agricultural import market, especially against the backdrop of trade tensions between China and Western countries. Peas are primarily used in China to produce pea protein, a key ingredient in various dietary food products gaining global popularity. Much of this pea protein is exported worldwide.
The United States Department of Commerce recently imposed anti-dumping duties on Chinese pea protein imports, citing artificially low pricing. These duties, announced on June 27, range from 127% to 626%.
Russia’s pea production has been on an upward trajectory, setting new records annually since 2021. Despite this, Russia lacks domestic facilities for pea protein production, making China a crucial partner. China granted market access to Russia in October 2022, paving the way for this export surge.
Facing Western sanctions due to the conflict in Ukraine, Russia has been actively diversifying its trade, directing flows towards Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America. Since early 2024, Russia has exported over 2 million tons of grain to China, with barley exports increasing five-fold to 371,500 tons, according to data from the Russian agricultural watchdog.
Russia also aims to secure a 10% share of China’s pork imports within the next three to four years, as stated by the National Union of Pork Producers. This goal aligns with Russia’s broader strategy to expand its agricultural exports and forge new trade partnerships on a global scale.
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