PULSE MARKET UPDATE – September 2026

Commentary
Harvest for most is now complete with only the more northerly pulse crops still to be cut. It has been a difficult year for all crops including pulses, and in those regions that experienced the hottest and driest conditions, crop performance has been understandably disappointing.

The range of yields reported to date however continues the theme of variability associated with pulses. Regional or even local geographic areas,may have experienced wildly different outcomes with faba bean yields varying from 0.5t/ha to over 6t/ha, and pea yields reported between 1t/ha and 4.6t/ha.

The causes are numerous depending upon soil type through all manner of crop management approaches, but underlying it all is the unavoidable impact of drought conditions being compounded by excessive, untimely heat. Those avoiding the extremes through geographic fortune fared best. Others managed to reduce losses through their agronomic approaches, but often the extremes were simply too severe for any approach to mitigate negative impact at all.

The hot dry conditions most severely impacted France and the southern and eastern half of the UK. Other increasingly important European regions in the bean production market – namely the Baltic countries – escaped the severest of the conditions and look set for a good harvest in quantity and quality. It will be this region that takes up the majority of the European supply to the North African human consumption export markets in 2026/7.

The forthcoming Australian crop is reportedly looking excellent and it is likely that this origin will have large volumes available for international export by the turn of the year. Australian production regions have benefitted from increased rainfall in recent years and this has significantly boosted the reliability and quantity of their output.

We are hearing a significant amount of publicity concerning the developing El Niño event. El Niño (a warm phase) and its opposite La Niña (a cool phase), are terms which describe the biggest fluctuation in the Earth’s climate system. Broadly speaking they are caused by a direct feedback loop between ocean surface temperatures and atmospheric pressure, causing changes to the direction and strength of the trade winds across the tropical Pacific. The suggestion is that a ‘Super Strong El Niño’ is building, likely to be the strongest in living memory, persisting through February 2027.
The implication for Australia is of severe heat and drought, but for UK agriculture the impact is likely to be a much warmer and wetter autumn/winter than normal. This would potentially have a significant influence upon 2027 cropping, both in terms of winter drilling capabilities and spring cropping choices.

Based purely on current post-harvest sentiment, most in the trade appear to be anticipating a further slight fall in UK pulse crop area in 2027, although this can change! Interestingly, 2018 experienced not dissimilar conditions to 2026. Crop area fell by about 11% in 2019, but average estimated yield increased by over 33% and the total estimated output from 2019 was almost 20% higher.

Feed Beans
With official crop areas not yet released by Defra (expected late September) the supply calculations as usual, remain largely educated guesswork. Broadly a UK crop of fewer than 380,000 tonnes is being anticipated, which can be easily consumed domestically, leaving little or no incentive to promote exports.
If this is the case, then most anticipate the potential for imports to complete UK demand.
Currently values ex farm trade on rough parity with import opportunities. Much will therefore depend upon the availability of local production.
Values at around £250/t ex farm remain somewhat linked to a £55/t premium over wheat futures. However, this is expected to break at some point when wheat values fall and will be influenced by any increase in certainty concerning final UK supply and any aggressive selling from international sources. Currently trade is slow, with many producers reluctant to sell. Offers will vary depending upon haulage premiums to end destinations.
Current values make beans uncompetitive against soya, rape-meal and wheat in most ruminant formulations, so demand is mainly being driven by poultry and aquaculture requirements.

Export beans
UK feed prices are uncompetitively high against competing exporters and for the human consumption market the availability of sufficient quality looks like restricting shipments to small consignments. The growing conditions were not good for human consumption qualities, with significant visual blemishes, bruchid damage and simple shattering due to excessive dryness an issue for most, but not all.
Firm offers for Human consumption are currently non-existent

Peas
Feed peas are trading at around £200-£225/t ex farm depending upon location.
The pea market is being dominated by the spectre of significant availability from Canadian suppliers. Stocks in Canada are heavily swollen as a legacy from their trade differences with China and a large 2026 crop. Canadian sellers are offering very cheap product in almost all markets encountered by UK traders.
From a UK grower’s perspective this emphasises the benefits of having a UK production contract underwritten by the UK trader. Currently, open market production peas –unless exceptional quality meets a willing partner – are only likely to find a home in the animal feed market.

Marrowfat peas 
The story of strong international supply competition continues. The 2026 harvest has resulted in some relatively disappointing quality, with small seed size and bleaching frequently an issue.
There will likely still be some interest in good quality bold open market samples. Values may reach £350/t ex farm.
Some limited contracts for 2027 crop have been tentatively released. If interested contact your merchant for the options available.

Green peas
There appears to be few open market buyers for greens. Canning companies are supplied through predetermined contracts and pet-food and micronising buyers are out of the market at present.
There will be few if any bids for the seller to choose between, as traders seek to meet their contract obligations.
Contracts (with quality clauses- colour, soaking, cooking, damage, moisture and admixtures) for crop 2027 are only slowly emerging. Contact your merchant for details.

Yellow peas 
Current international surpluses mean the market is oversupplied. Currently imports can be bought to arrive at UK ports below £200/t.

Maple peas
The feast or famine story behind these types continues, with variable results from a very limited contracted area in 2026. Famine may again be the theme from the current crop, with limited availability in Europe putting a ceiling on the upper price limits.
Nice samples of Rose (the variety preferred for snack and export markets) offers subject to sample could easily top £450/t ex farm.
It is expected that crop 2027 values will fall, but it will again depend upon availability.
On average Maple peas are slightly lower yielding than other types. Consult the PGRO Descriptive List for more details.
Contact your merchant if interested.

NOTE:
“This report is independently compiled by the PGRO using a variety of information sources and summarised commentary from within the UK pulse trade. It is intended as a guide only without any guarantees. It is accurate to the best PGRO’s knowledge at the time of compilation, but no assurance is given, nor any acceptance of responsibility for actions taken as a result of its use.”

Agronomy notes:

Storage Tips
Tips and guidance on the effective harvesting, drying and storage of peas and beans is available on the PGRO web site.

Farm Saving Seed?
Don’t forget the PGRO seed and soil testing services Getting your pulse crop off the best possible start begins with understanding the seed quality. The PGRO seed lab team has all the experience to evaluate the quality of the seed you propose to save and use.

PEA BRUCHID
With the first incidents of Pea Bruchid found in UK produced peas in 2025 PGRO vigilance for Pea Bruchid damage in peas in the 2026 crop. Encouragingly to date no formal identifications from 2026 crop harvest have been made.

The potential for this pest to do severe damage to the UK pea industry is serious.
More information on identificationand management:

PGRO is working with the AIC, BSPB and other trade organisations to try an ensure this pest does not become established in the UK. Growers and agronomists are urged to carefully inspect harvested crops and report any suspicious insects, damage using the PGRO Crop Monitor App. Available free of charge from Google Play and Apple App stores.

PEA BRUCHID

Infested produce should not be moved other than to an authorised place for fumigation.

 

PGRO YouTube videos and Podcasts:
A host of instructive videos and podcast episodes can be found here:
And also through links on the PGRO website.