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Message: [QUOTE="Nehanda, post: 23668, member: 2262"] Zimbabwe Farmers Begin Pea Planting Season to Target Peak Market Prices. Farmers in Zimbabwe have started signing contracts to grow mangetout and sugar snap peas. They aim to sell these crops when other countries cannot grow them. The crops need eight weeks to grow if planted right away. This timing lets Zimbabwe's farmers sell peas when the weather stops other countries from growing them well. Clarence Mwale leads Kuminda, a company that works with farmers. He said Zimbabwe's peas are popular worldwide. The country grows its peas in winter when few others can. This helps farmers sell their crops to European buyers at better prices. These special peas help feed people around the world. Stanley Heri, who heads the Horticultural Development Council, says they grow well in Zimbabwe's winter climate. Farmers must plant between mid-February and May to get the best prices. Guatemala, a main pea supplier, cannot grow peas during this time, which creates a perfect sales opportunity for Zimbabwe's farmers. High shipping costs cut into farmer earnings last year. Peas need fast air shipping to reach Europe when prices peak. Later, crops traveled by sea, but prices dropped because more countries started selling peas then. Tatenda Karimazondo from Lingflora agrees with the timing. He grows and sells peas himself. The harvest starts in May, after Egypt and Guatemala stop selling, giving Zimbabwe's farmers the best market prices. Farmers pick peas for four to five weeks after they grow. Early peas fly to markets to catch high prices. Later, peas go by ship, which takes three weeks. By then, Peru starts selling peas, and prices fall. The timing matters most. Late peas reach Europe when schools close, and people take summer breaks. This means fewer buyers and lower profits for farmers. [/QUOTE]

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