Asian interest in Lithuanian peas sees big jump in output

Lithuanian farmers have hugely increased their production of peas and beans in response to growing demand from Asian countries and other foreign markets.

The acreage under cultivation for peas in Lithuania doubled this year with bean cultivation also increasing by one third. Last year Lithuania produced more than 200,000 tons of peas of which three-quarters were exported.

Lithuanian-grown peas have now attracted the interest of a large Indian company that sells agricultural produce across Asia.

Ministry of Agriculture crop production division head Vidmantas Ašmonas said that there are more peas and beans grown not only because of demand, but also becasue of the benefits for protein crops and agricultural activity that is environmentally beneficial to the climate.

Lithuania is in second place in the European Union for peas and bean agricultural production.