Peas Production in Australia (2019)

Overview of Peas

Pea, (Pisum sativum), also called garden pea, herbaceous annual plant in the family Fabaceae, grown virtually worldwide for its edible seeds. This vegetable can be bought fresh, canned, or frozen, and dried. Moreover, they are commonly used in soups. Some varieties, including sugar peas and snow peas, produce pods that are edible and are eaten raw or cooked like green beans. They are popular in East Asian cuisines. 

While the origins of domesticated peas have not been definitely determined, the pea is one of the oldest cultivated crops. The wild plant is native to the Mediterranean region, and ancient remains dating to the late Neolithic Period have been found in the Middle East. European colonization introduced the crop to the New World and other regions throughout the globe. In the mid-1800s, peas in a monastery garden in Austria were famously used by the monk Gregor Mendel in his pioneering studies of the nature of heredity.

They are in the group of foods known as legumes. Legumes are plants that produce pods with seeds, or beans, inside. Other foods in the legume family include lentils, soybeans, chickpeas, and all types of beans.

Statistics

As of June 2019:

1. Approximately 33,728 tonnes of this vegetable was produced and valued at $62.7 million.
2. 28% of Australians purchased peas while on their grocery haul. Hence, this amounts to 192 grams of it per shopping trip.
3. The supply per capita amounted to 291 grams, based on the volume supplied.
4. The wholesale value of the fresh supply was recorded at $60.6 million. Out of this $42.4 million went into retail, while $18.2 million was invested in food service.

Major Production Areas

Peas, like potatoes, are grown in almost all states across Australia. However, the majority of the production occurs in Victoria and Queensland. Nonetheless, the areas where they are grown the most are the Goulburn Valley, the Perth region and North-West Tasmania.