Southern Europe is strong in bean and pea production
Europe is a large producer of fresh beans and peas, offering a wide range of suppliers. Spain, Italy and Belgium are the leading producers of fresh beans in Europe with a production of between 110 and 170 thousand tonnes in 2016. France, the United Kingdom and Hungary produce most of the peas (common peas are eaten without the pod), reaching a volume varying between 90 and 240 thousand tonnes.
Year-round supply
Sugar snaps and snow peas are only a small part of the total bean and pea production in Europe and only available as fresh vegetables between May and September (mainly snow peas). To complement the local production and guarantee a year-round supply of these specific peas, European buyers import products throughout the year. A large part of the cultivation abroad is programmed by the larger supply chains in Europe. Kenya is the only country to supply Europe all year round, with a peak from October to December.
Long distance supply, regularly air freighted, means a higher consumer price. This means you must treat these peas as a more exclusive product and distinguish in quality and packing.
