What are pigeon peas?

Pigeon peas are the dried, shelled seeds of Cajanus cajan, a legume grown widely in tropical and subtropical regions. They are traded as a raw pulse for food and feed use.

What is the difference between whole and split pigeon peas?

Pigeon peas are typically sold whole, split, or skinned, and the form affects cooking time and end use. Split peas cook faster and are preferred for dhal, while whole peas are used in stews and salads.

How should a buyer evaluate a lot of dried pigeon peas?

Buyers should assess moisture content, seed size, color, and the presence of foreign matter or defects. Uniform size and color indicate good sorting, and low moisture ensures safe storage.

How should dried pigeon peas be stored?

Store pigeon peas in a dry, ventilated space, protected from moisture and pests. Proper storage prevents mold growth and insect infestation, which can spoil the peas.

Can pigeon peas be processed into flour?

Pigeon peas can be used whole or split, but they are not typically milled into flour like other pulses. They are also used as animal feed and in cover cropping, unlike many other pulses.

Pigeon Peas

Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan), commercially known as Red Gram or Toor, is a dominant commodity for bulk trade. Pigeon peas are a drought‑tolerant legume valued for their mild flavor, firm texture, and nutritional density.

Prices, specifications and international trade for pigeon peas under HS 071360.

Pigeon Peas Price

$944USD/t

Published reference · Jul 1, 2026

Pigeon peas is quoted in USD/t at MMR. Historical customs values may differ from the headline reference.

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Pigeon Peas Historical Unit Values

Pigeon Peas Suppliers

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Pigeon Peas Exports and Imports

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Myanmar led reported pigeon peas exports in 2025, at $248M.

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Pigeon Peas Specifications and Quality

Pigeon peas grading factors include Moisture content, Seed size and uniformity, and Color.

Grading Factors

Quality assessment for pigeon peas considers Moisture content, Seed size and uniformity, and Color.

Moisture content
Moisture content is critical for safe storage and prevents mold growth and insect activity.
Seed size and uniformity
Uniform seed size and shape are preferred for consistent cooking and processing.
Color
Color indicates freshness and variety, and a uniform color is often required for consumer appeal.
Foreign matter
The presence of foreign material such as stones, stems, or other seeds affects purity and usability.

Typical Specification Ranges

Pigeon peas specifications record purity, moisture content, protein content. These are typical ranges, not guarantees for an individual lot.

Purity	98–99 %
Moisture Content	up to 12 %
Protein Content	from 20 %

Common Defects

Recorded defects for pigeon peas include Broken seeds, Insect damage, and Discoloration.

Broken seeds
Seeds that are broken or damaged during threshing or handling reduce the yield and may be more prone to spoilage.
Insect damage
Insect-damaged seeds have holes or are hollowed out, reducing quality and potentially introducing contamination.
Discoloration
Discolored seeds, such as those with dark spots or unnatural colors, indicate poor handling or age and can affect appearance and cooking quality.

Certifications

Certifications documented for pigeon peas include ISO 22000, ISO 9001, and HACCP. Their applicability depends on the individual product and shipment.

ISO 22000
Food safety management system certification.
ISO 9001
Quality management system certification.
HACCP
Hazard analysis and critical control points certification.
GMP
Good manufacturing practice certification.
USDA Organic
Organic certification meeting United States standards.
EU Organic
Organic certification meeting European Union standards.
NPOP (India)
National Programme for Organic Production certification.

Pigeon Peas Facts and HS Code

Pigeon peas belongs to pulses within grains, oilseeds, oils and feed. Its customs classification covers HS 071360.

Pigeon Peas HS Code

Also known as	Red Gram, Toor, Arhar, Toor Dal
Scientific name	Cajanus cajan
Product type	Raw
Form	Dried
Position in the chain	Primary
Category	Pulses — Grains, oilseeds, oils and feed
HS codes	071360
HS6 description	Vegetables, leguminous; pigeon peas (Cajanus cajan), shelled, whether or not skinned or split, dried
Quoted in	USD/t
Reference location	MMR

Production & Handling

Pigeon peas storage guidance: Cool, dry, well‑ventilated, insect‑free

Production and Storage

Perishability	Low
Temperature regime	Ambient
Storage conditions	Cool, dry, well‑ventilated, insect‑free
Production methods	Farmed
Processing steps	Harvest mature pods Thresh to remove seeds from pods Dry seeds to reduce moisture Clean and sort seeds Optionally split or skin seeds Pack for storage and shipment

Packaging

Typical pigeon peas packaging includes 25 Kg PP woven bag, 50 Kg PP woven bag, and Jute bag (25 kg).

25 Kg PP woven bag
Standard bulk packaging for export shipments.
50 Kg PP woven bag
Commonly used for larger bulk orders.
Jute bag (25 kg)
Traditional packaging preferred in some markets.
Jumbo bulk bag
1 Metric tonne bulk bag for very large orders.
Retail bags
Small‑size packaging (1 kg, 2 kg, 5 kg) for consumer sales.

Uses & Risks

Pigeon peas is used in Human consumption, Animal feed, and Cover cropping.

End Uses

Human consumption
Whole or split pigeon peas are cooked into soups, stews, and dhal, a staple dish in many cuisines.
Animal feed
The seeds are used as a protein-rich ingredient in animal feed formulations.
Cover cropping
Pigeon peas are grown as a cover crop or green manure to improve soil fertility and reduce erosion.

Uses and Related Commodities

Downstream industries	Food processing, Animal feed manufacturing, Agriculture
Leading origins	Benin, Dominican Republic, India, Kenya, Malawi, Myanmar, Nepal, Peru, Uganda, Tanzania

Sourcing risks

Risk	Category	Severity	Mitigation
Mycotoxin contamination Food safetyHigh Improper drying or storage can lead to mold growth and the production of mycotoxins, which are harmful if consumed.	Food safety	High	Ensure proper drying and storage conditions, and test for mycotoxins as part of quality assurance.
Insect infestation PestHigh Insect pests such as pod borers and bruchids can damage the seeds in the field or during storage, reducing yield and quality.	Pest	High	Implement integrated pest management and proper storage practices, including fumigation or hermetic storage.
Adverse weather ClimateMedium Drought or excessive rainfall during the growing season can reduce yields and affect seed quality.	Climate	Medium	Source from regions with reliable rainfall or irrigation, and monitor weather forecasts.

Pigeon Peas Questions

What are pigeon peas?: Pigeon peas are the dried, shelled seeds of Cajanus cajan, a legume grown widely in tropical and subtropical regions. They are traded as a raw pulse for food and feed use.
What is the difference between whole and split pigeon peas?: Pigeon peas are typically sold whole, split, or skinned, and the form affects cooking time and end use. Split peas cook faster and are preferred for dhal, while whole peas are used in stews and salads.
How should a buyer evaluate a lot of dried pigeon peas?: Buyers should assess moisture content, seed size, color, and the presence of foreign matter or defects. Uniform size and color indicate good sorting, and low moisture ensures safe storage.
How should dried pigeon peas be stored?: Store pigeon peas in a dry, ventilated space, protected from moisture and pests. Proper storage prevents mold growth and insect infestation, which can spoil the peas.
Can pigeon peas be processed into flour?: Pigeon peas can be used whole or split, but they are not typically milled into flour like other pulses. They are also used as animal feed and in cover cropping, unlike many other pulses.