PULSE MARKET UPDATE – July 2026

Commentary
In this update we take a quick look at the market immediately before harvest 2026 begins, reflecting a little on the experience of the spring just passed and the impact it may have for the post-harvest availability.

For most of the calendar year markets have been steady. The general theme has been one of little price movement. Prices have remained high in comparison to international competition and domestic demand has been met for those who are committed to UK origin material.

For months the trade could have been described as  unremarkable other than for its remarkable stability. Forecasts for crop 2026 are mixed. As always actual crop area will remain unknown until the middle autumn period and while there are some optimists, most feel that the area for peas and beans is likely to be little changed.

The biggest factor determining this year’s crop will be regionally experienced weather. Autumn-sown winter beans went in nicely but then had to endure prolonged and regular heavy rain and in some cases a period of serious water logging, which, in early February combined with mild temperatures and led to PGRO’s earliest ever chocolate spot advisory warning. If crops survived that experience, they may now look excellent, but in the East Midlands and South East on lighter land the combination of disease and subsequent spring drought may have seriously damaged yield prospects. On the whole most are anticipating at least an average return from winter beans and some that had access to a little more moisture may fair very well.

Spring-sown beans and spring peas are also regionally variable. Most went in to almost perfect soil conditions with high levels of early optimism, but subsequent moisture shortages have seriously stressed many crops on lighter, thin or compacted soils. This also appears to be mainly in the East Midlands and South East. Peas will have fared better than beans and some spring beans will undoubtedly disappoint at as a result.

French crops have suffered even more than the UK and the heat wave will have negatively impacted most European production to some degree.

The Australian bean crop appears likely to be a little reduced, although still at much higher levels than were typical a few seasons ago. The Australian fortunes are also being improved by trends for more significant rainfall.

International markets are still an awkward arena in which to promote UK pulses. Alternatives from both within Europe and further afield are significantly cheaper and crop area in Europe appears to be rinsing on the back of protein policy initiatives.

EU countries have options to implement their protein crop initiatives through three complimentary primary schemes in their CAP Strategic Plans.

1. Coupled Income Support – providing direct financial subsidies tied to the production of specific protein crops
2. Eco-schemes to reward farmers for beneficial environmental practices such as crop rotation and nitrogen-fixation integrating grain legumes such as peas and beans
3. Rural Development Investments to allocate funding for agricultural equipment, and processing facilities tailored to cropping and protein diversification. Combinations of these are being used in different nation states.

These schemes allow action to be taken along the supply chain to stimulate the rapid increase in domestic EU production and use of protein crops towards greater self-sufficiency. There are  ambitious plans for sustainably increased crop area by 2027. Some significant progress is being made. Exports to Europe this year have been down ostensibly on price, but it may be that this has a longer-term impact upon UK exports with an unsupported UK supply chain at a financial disadvantage.

UK PULSES
Feed Beans
Values decreased as spring progressed, falling below £210/t  ex farm. After a further period of stability, old crop values increased rapidly for a short period in early June as traders sought to fulfil immediate short contracts. Prices appeared to peak at around £250/t ex farm but rapidly fell back as buyers moved out of the market and some smaller quantities were imported to fulfil demand. New sellers of old crop may be able to achieve £235/t ahead of the new crop depending upon location and immediacy of need.

Buyers of new crop are currently offering approximately £40/t ex farm over November wheat futures which at the time of writing this were £177/t, making feed bean values  from new crop around £215-£217/t ex farm. Some are currently reluctant to take a position.

In terms of market interest, the theme will likely remain unchanged in the short term i.e. with UK beans quoted as too expensive for many feed buyers when comparing them to the value of imported soya purely on a price per unit of protein basis.

Ahead of harvest there is traditionally little speculative selling. It seems most growers prefer to see the crop in the barn before making commitments to the trade

Export beans 
Little to say here other than that the market will be competitive and will depend upon sample quality as always. There is likely to be little commitment until the harvested beans have been sampled. Traditionally premiums have varied typically between £15 – £30/t over ex farm feed beans, and while there is Egyptian interest in the UK crop, there is currently no real indication for the new crop values.

UK combining peas
Little has changed in the markets since the last bulletin. The UK trade is still carrying some old crop commitment and has new crop immediately ahead.
Most peas grown intended for human consumption and food inflation is a real issue, yet this can be contrasted with continued decreasing values of many commodities produced on farm. For most pea types open market old crop may still be hard to shift unless the seller is prepared to be flexible in their  value and movement expectations. This is also likely to be the case for open market new crop. As always sample and functional quality will determine buyer enthusiasm as contracted crops attract their initial priorities. The value of a production contract for peas continues to be emphasised.

Unless specified as related to contracts, price indications below refer to produce offered in the free or open market.

Green peas
Open market values have fallen a little in recent months. £300 – £340/t  ex farm can be achieved depending upon quality characteristics (colour, soaking, cooking, damage  and admixtures are the primary concerns). Heavily bleached samples or those unsuitable for human consumption are likely to trade at around feed bean prices.

Contracts (with quality clauses) for crop 2027 are slowly emerging. Contact your merchant for details.

Marrowfat peas
The story of strong international supply competition continues there too. Current values for off-contract samples entirely depend upon quality and a willing buyer in a generally well supplied market. Up to £375/t ,might be realised for good quality produce.
Some limited contracts for 2027 crop have been tentatively released. If interested contact your merchant for the options available.

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. For a period crop 2025 ex farm values reached  roughly £450/t but may have eased a little recently. It is expected that crop 2027 values will fall.
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:
Beans
Silver Y moth is not a frequent issue in UK beans.
Significant numbers have been reported in some western region crops.
Control can be achieved with pyrethroid insecticides.

Harvesting Tips
Tips and guidance on the effective harvesting,
drying and storage of peas and beans is available
on the PGRO web site. https://www.pgro.org/harvesting-drying-and-storage/

PEA BRUCHID

Growers and traders alike are urged to look out for Pea Bruchid damage in peas in the 2026 crop. Pea Bruchid has not previously been found in UK produced crop. The potential for this pest to do severe damage to the UK pea industry is serious The incident is reported here and there is more information on identification and management: https://graphicgeneweb.co.uk/Spring-pulse-2026/  page 18

PGRO 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 i-tunes stores.

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.