Chickpea Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends and Forecast (2025 - 2030)

Global Chickpea Market Trends and Insights

Expanding Vegan and Flexitarian Populations

Plant-based dietary adoption is outpacing animal protein growth as consumers pursue ethical, health, and environmental goals. Similar shifts are observed in the United States, where omnivores account for over half of all plant-based product purchases, confirming that pulses have penetrated mainstream grocery baskets. Brands are leveraging the halo effect of “clean protein” to launch chickpea-based ready meals, nutrition bars, and milk alternatives that target flexitarian shoppers. The demographic sweet spot overlaps with younger, urban consumers whose purchasing power is set to expand through 2030. This shift fuels demand for reliable ingredient quality, prompting processors to formalize long-term contracts with growers.

Surge in Pulse-Based Protein Isolates for Functional Foods

Technological advances in membrane filtration and salt-based extraction have delivered chickpea protein isolates exceeding 90% purity while retaining solubility and gel strength vital for meat analogs^{[1]Source: Baraem Ismail, “Salt Solubilization Coupled with Membrane Filtration,” Foods, foodsmdpi.com}. Strategic partnerships, such as Ingredion teaming with InnovoPro, accelerate commercialization by pairing global distribution with proprietary extraction know-how. The result is a virtuous cycle: reliable isolate quality encourages food formulators to trial chickpea proteins, which in turn secures off-take agreements that justify further capacity expansion. End uses now include sports-nutrition powders, spoonable yogurts, and frozen desserts, pushing demand beyond historical hummus and flour applications.

Growth of Gluten-Free Bakery and Snack Categories

Chickpea flour’s 12-14% protein content and neutral flavor make it a preferred gluten-free base. Tortilla formulations with 30% chickpea flour deliver higher iron and potassium without sacrificing flexibility, expanding options for better-for-you snack wraps^{[2]Source: Asmaa Benayad et al., “Addition of Chickpea Flour in Durum Wheat Flour,” Foods, mdpi.com}. Artisan bakeries have adopted steamed chickpea flour, which achieves 18-month shelf stability and eliminates bitter notes common in raw pulse flours. Mainstream brands have responded; global product launches that feature chickpea as a primary ingredient rose nearly 20% between 2021 and 2022, tightening ingredient supply and prompting growers in Australia and Canada to allocate larger acreage.

Government Biofortification Programs for Climate-Smart Legumes

Public-sector initiatives are upgrading chickpea micronutrient profiles while also boosting yields. Canada’s “Expanding Nutrients in Food Systems” project targets more than 11 million beneficiaries across five countries by 2027. Field trials demonstrate that foliar applications of zinc and iron nanoparticles lift yields to 14.10 quintals per hectare and fortify grain iron levels by more than 30%. In parallel, the USDA Agricultural Research Service is screening 300 chickpea accessions to identify genetic markers for protein, fiber, and fatty acid concentrations, accelerating cultivar development pipelines. These programs enhance both nutritional value and climate resilience, strengthening long-term demand.

Yield Volatility from El Niño-Linked Drought Cycles

Historical El Niño events have slashed chickpea output by up to 65% in Ethiopia and 25-30% in India, triggering price spikes and import surges. Drought stress not only limits yield but also amplifies root pathogens, with dry root rot incidence expanding 14-fold under severe moisture deficits. Growers in semi-arid belts increasingly shift acreage to more drought-tolerant pulses or cereals during forecasted El Niño years, compounding supply tightness. Breeding programs are accelerating drought-escape varieties, but widespread adoption remains several seasons away. Adaptation strategies include developing drought-tolerant varieties and implementing supplemental irrigation systems, with research indicating that early sowing and short-duration cultivars can mitigate some yield losses.

Post-Harvest Mycotoxin Contamination Risks

Aflatoxin B1 exceeded regulatory thresholds in 62% of Pakistani chickpea lots sampled in 2023. Contamination triggers costly rejections in European ports where limits are set at 2 parts per billion, undermining exporter margins. Climate change lengthens warm, humid storage windows that favor Aspergillus growth. Technologies such as plasma treatment and controlled-atmosphere storage show promise, yet demand capital outlays are seldom feasible for small-volume traders. The economic impact extends beyond direct losses, with contamination risks increasing insurance costs and requiring investment in detection and management systems throughout the supply chain.

Geography Analysis

Asia-Pacific captured 36% of the chickpea market share in 2024, reflecting entrenched culinary traditions and expanding packaged food use. The chickpea market size attached to regional processing clusters is anticipated to widen as multinational snack brands procure from dedicated sourcing hubs. The regional dynamics reflect divergent consumption patterns and production capabilities that are reshaping global trade flows. 

Africa’s contribution remains smaller in absolute terms, yet the region posts the fastest CAGR at 7.20% through 2030. Ethiopia leveraged digital extension platforms to lift yields and unlock export quality standards, aligning with EU import protocols. Donor-funded biofortification projects introduce high-iron varieties, enhancing both domestic nutrition and premium export positioning. The chickpea market size for African origin shipments is projected to surpass USD 430 million by 2030, buoyed by trade diversification into Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian destinations.

North America and Europe command premium niches focused on high-protein flours and isolates destined for flexitarian product lines. Recent consolidation, exemplified by Above Food’s takeover of The Redwood Group’s specialty crop division, signals an emerging scale play to secure contiguous supply in these mature but innovation-oriented markets. Australia’s record 2 million metric tons harvest showcases the potential for counter-seasonal supply to smooth global availability, though logistics constraints remain a limiting factor. South America contributes modestly through Argentine and Brazilian acreage expansions focused on counter-seasonal supply windows. Meanwhile, Turkey’s target of USD 1 billion in food exports to China over five years underscores the Middle East’s ambitions to leverage geographic proximity as a trading bridge^{[3]Source: Ege İhracatçı Birlikleri, “Turkish food exporters set USD 1 billion target for China,” eib.org.tr}.