Cowpeas, also known as black-eyed peas, are a versatile and resilient legume widely used in cooking for their earthy flavor and creamy texture. A staple in traditional cuisines across Africa, Asia, and the Americas, cowpeas are valued for their drought tolerance and reliable yields. Nutrada connects buyers with trusted cowpea suppliers offering whole, split, flour, and granule formats for commercial use.
Cowpeas (Vigna unguiculata) are small oval legumes characterized by a distinctive "eye" marking, often black but also available in red, brown, or pink varieties. Their subtle nutty flavor and hearty consistency make them ideal for use in stews, soups, curries, and salads. They are a staple in African dishes, Southern U.S. cuisine, and increasingly featured in plant-based recipes.
In pulse-based blends, they are frequently grouped with pigeon peas and chickpeas due to similar protein profiles. Though less starchy than white peas, cowpeas serve a comparable role in flour production and ethnic dishes.
Cowpeas come in several color types, including:
They are available in the following forms:
These formats support diverse applications in food processing, prepared meals, and packaged retail products.
Cowpeas are typically harvested between late summer and early fall, though the specific timeline varies by region and climate. Once harvested, they are dried and cleaned, enabling year-round availability through global supply networks.
Nigeria is the largest producer of cowpeas, followed by Niger, Burkina Faso, and the United States. These regions account for the majority of global cowpea cultivation due to their semi-arid climates and established agricultural practices. Exporting countries also include Morocco, China, and Mexico. Major exporting countries include Morocco, China, and Mexico. In 2023, Morocco alone contributed 25.87% of the global cowpea export market, valued at $276.13 million. These diverse origins provide buyers with flexible sourcing options, from regional specialty varieties to high-volume industrial supply.
Cowpeas have been cultivated for centuries and remain a staple crop in Africa and other developing regions. As interest in heritage grains and legumes rises, this type of peas are gaining ground in global markets. Their natural drought resistance makes them a strategic crop in climate-resilient food systems.
Cowpeas are also gaining popularity in health food categories due to their high fiber and protein content, making them suitable for vegan and clean-label product lines. Their use is expanding into snacks, flours, and protein-enriched food items.
Nutrada enables buyers to connect with reliable cowpea manufacturers for wholesale purchase. Suppliers offer dried cowpeas in 10 to 50 kg packaging with traceability, pesticide testing, and microbial safety documentation.
Bulk cowpeas are ideal for food manufacturers, packagers, and processors. Whether sourcing whole or split cowpeas, buyers can find supply partners offering consistent quality and origin transparency.
For companies launching consumer-packaged goods, Nutrada’s supplier network offers private label options for cowpeas. Custom retail packaging, labeling, and certification support are available to help you stand out in natural and international markets.
Organic-certified cowpeas are produced without synthetic inputs, in compliance with Organic standards. These are available in whole, split, or flour forms, packaged in sealed, food-safe multilayer bags for export.
From bulk orders to retail-ready formats, Nutrada connects you with verified cowpea suppliers offering quality, consistency, and traceability. Find cowpea suppliers on Nutrada and simplify your sourcing strategy with dependable global partners.