Shifting markets for pulses

Press, 13 April 1984, Page 27

Shifting markets for pulses

Growth in export of pulses (grain legumes) from New Zealand will need close attention to quality, production, presentation and packaging. According to Mr Chris Mortlock, Dalgety Crown’s New Zealand arable manager, to achieve export growth exporters will need to identify markets and heed closely market requirements. “It will be necessary for this market information to be disseminated to growers insofar as quality aspects are concerned,” Mr Mortlock told the Federated Farmers arable seminar.

Peas are the major pulse crop produced in New Zealand. For the 1981-82 season, the area in peas was some 18,000 hectares which produced 53,000 tonnes. Pea exports in the 1982-83 season were 36,500 tonnes. “Significant shifts in export destinations have occurred in recent years which have current and future marketing implications,” Mr Mortlock said. “Of particular note is the decline in importance of the United Kingdom and European market and the emergence of major importers

within the Pacific rim (Japan and Fiji) and India, for field peas.”

Mr Mortlock said the change in markets had been accompanied by a shift in product mix. The area planted in the traditional maple pea has declined in favour of blue peas and marrowfat peas. “However, of greater significance in this market change has been a move from exporting peas largely for livestock consumption to new markets for them as a human food,” he said.

“Accordingly this has created some pressures re-

garding quality aspects of these export markets. “That we in New Zealand have been able to penetrate these markets implies these demands have, at least in part, been met.” Mr Mortlock told the seminar that to maintain and expand markets for field peas, the importance of the Pacific rim and Asian sub-continent countries must not be underestimated. Possibilities for expansion do exist to these markets, but in competition with exporters and marketers from the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada, he said.