Ukrainian farmers ready to expand crop areas for peas, but experiencing seeds shortage

MOSCOW. April 9 (Interfax) - Ukrainian farmers are ready to expand crop areas for peas, but the country is experiencing a shortage of seeds, Ukrainian media outlets said with a reference to the press service for the Ukraine Pulse Association.

"Over 120,000 hectares of peas were planted in Ukraine as of April 7. The market views the news on India's extension of duty-free import of yellow peas as an incentive to further investments in production of pulses, which will have an impact on the increase of crop areas and harvest and provide for Ukraine's domestic market and export potential. There is currently a shortage of pea seeds on the market, which prompts Ukrainian farmers to sow commercial-grade peas on their fields. Well-peeled commercial-grade peas could be used as a seed material without losses in gross harvest yield," Ukraine Pulse Association head Antonina Sklyarenko said.

At present, almost entire last year's crop of Ukrainian peas has already been sold, she said.

"Ukraine's reserves of peas are low. The remains are being actively exported to Malaysia and Sri Lanka. India will be an interesting export market for Ukrainian peas in the next season. Despite India's attempts to meet the domestic demand for pulses by its own production, the weather in the past few years does not contribute to a sufficient harvest. One can expect that India will extend duty-free imports in 2024-2025," the expert said.

As reported, in later February, India extended permission for duty-free imports of yellow peas until April, and now it was extended for two more months, until June 30.