Pea prices remain steady amidst China's starch issue and weak demand

13-Jul-2026 04:52 PM

Vancouver. Pea prices in the international market remained largely subdued and stable last week, as the attention of most exporters, traders, importers, and end-users was focused on crop progress and weather conditions in Northern Hemisphere countries. Time is running short before the harvest of the new pea crop begins in countries like Russia, Canada, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, and the USA. The new crop is also due to arrive in the European Union.

Crop conditions in Canada are generally reported as normal, though there are signs of increasing pest and disease pressure. This raises concerns about the potential impact on production. Producers anticipate that this year's pea yield could fall below not only last year's levels but also the five-year average. It is worth noting that the area under pea cultivation in Canada is smaller this year compared to the previous year.

European Union member states—particularly France and Germany—are experiencing a lack of rainfall alongside scorching heat and soaring temperatures. Consequently, there is a likelihood of adverse effects on pea yields and quality. Alongside Russia, France is considered a key competitor to Canada in the global pea market, and crop conditions there are reported to be poor.

The Chinese government has imposed a hefty 73.5% anti-dumping duty on pea starch imported from Canada, creating uncertainty regarding the demand for whole peas in the Canadian domestic market. This development threatens to deal a significant blow to the pea market. Beyond peas, the risk extends to starch produced from wheat, corn, and potatoes as well.

Canada holds substantial carryover stocks of peas; therefore, a minor decline in production is unlikely to significantly impact total availability. However, if domestic and export demand remains weak, downward pressure on prices is inevitable.