What is Pigeon Pea?
Cajanus cajan, also known as pigeon pea, red gram of tur, is a perennial legume from the family fabaceae. Since its domestication in the Indian subcontinent at least 3500 years ago, its seeds have become a common food in Asia, Africa, and Latin America.
Source of Pigeon Pea
The center of origin is probably peninsular India. From India it traveled to East Africa and West Africa. There, it was first encountered by Europeans, so it obtained the name Congo pea. It came to the American continent around the 17th century.
Pigeon Pea and Nutrition
Pigeon peas are an excellent source of protein, and a good amount of dietary fiber which has been shown to reduce blood cholesterol levels. It is also an antioxidant. It is also gluten free which helps with allergies and diets.it also contains vitamin C, copper, iron, manganese, phosphorous, selenium, calcium, and zinc.
Uses
Pigeon peas are both a food crop (dried peas, flour, or green vegetable peas) and a feed crop.
- In the food industry its edible uses are a cooked seed or dried, can be used instead of tofu. Its leaves can be cooked as a vegetable. Can be used to make stew, soups, and curry. Also has a use in making cereals.
- In the medical industry it’s used as its roots are anthelmintic, sedative, expectorant and vulnerary. Its leaves are used to treat pulmonary conditions.
- In agroforestry it is used for its extensive root system and is often used to bind soil. It is also grown to provide shelter from wind. It is as a shade crop, or as support for vanilla. It is also a non-completive crop to plant with cereals.
Users
- Feed companies.
- Pharmaceutical companies.
- Herbalists.
- Food processing companies.
- Flour companies
Types & forms
Based on form pigeon pea market is segmented into the following:
- Frozen
- Dried
- Canned
- Fresh
Specification Data Sheet
This Sudanese standard is formulated by the technical committee No.4 formed according to the administrative decree of the SSM0/1/A/Idated 18/8/01. It applies to Pigeon Pea. On formulating this standard the committee has referred to international publications and works of Sudanese researchers on the subject.
Pigeon Pea exporting process
- Our Pigeon pea is packed in 50 kg poly propylene (PP) bags.
- Then loaded in 20 feet containers with up to 22 metric tons of the pigeon pea.
- The minimum order quantity (20ft FCL) takes a period of 10 to 15 days to be on board of the vessel, this period varies depending on the quantity ordered.
- The port of use is PORTSUDAN (SDPZU), with a possibility to re-export from other nearby ports.
- Estimated time to reach the clients desired port depends on the shipping lines used and the destination to that port, usually varies between 2 to 8 weeks for the farthest destination.
- The H.S code for the pigeon pea is 07136000 (*)
- Payment terms and documents provided along with the shipment.
- Sudanese pigeon pea is falling among the products which the US sanctions against Sudan has not exempted, therefore cannot be exported directly from PORTSUDAN to the US market unless obtaining a special OFAC license.
(*) Need to be confirmed form each country customs authorities.