Chickpeas Market Analysis 2026

Market Dynamics of the Chickpea Market

Key Drivers of the Chickpea Market

• Chickpeas are consumed as a nutritional and convenient snacking option and that helps in advancing the market.

Chickpeas are gaining popularity as nutritious, convenient snacks because of their significant fiber, protein, and zinc levels. In South Asia, particularly in India, they are often roasted and offered with lemon and coriander by street vendors. This growing demand is driving consistent expansion in the worldwide chickpea market.
•    For Instance, the article by EPICURIUM states about the rise in the use of chickpeas in snacks. As chickpeas are a healthy snack option and consumers are moving more to the healthy snack option in the UK 44% of consumers prefer chickpeas in their snacks while 66% of consumers consume healthy snacks and 41% of consumers would choose high protein snacks.

(Source:https://www.epicurium.co.uk/todays-trends/the-rise-of-the-premium-chickpea-snack/).

• Chickpeas are consumed as a substitute for meat and animal-based by the vegan and vegetarian population leading to the growth of the chickpea market.

Around 5% of the worldwide population follows a vegetarian diet, while 3% identify as vegan. As the number of vegans continues to rise, the demand for chickpeas is also increasing, given their role as a significant source of plant-based protein and a dairy substitute. Furthermore, the expanding workforce is contributing to the demand for convenient, protein-rich snacks such as chickpeas, thereby enhancing market growth on a global scale.
•    For Instance, the article published by Veg News states about the use of chickpeas in ice cream making as a replacement for animal-based products for the vegan population.

(Source:https://vegnews.com/2022/12/chickpeas-dairy-free-ice-cream)

Restraint of the Chickpea Market

• Changes in climatic conditions and, overconsumption of chickpeas can cause side effects and hamper market growth.

While chickpeas provide a variety of health advantages, overconsumption may result in digestive issues such as bloating, acidity, or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which could affect their popularity among consumers. Additionally, chickpea cultivation faces water-related challenges—insufficient rainfall and rapid weed proliferation can impede crop yields. These agricultural constraints serve as obstacles to the overall expansion of the global chickpea market.
•    For Instance, according to the news article given by CMB News there was a decline in the yields, due to adverse climatic conditions, which also caused early harvesting and that caused 7-8% reduction in the productivity of the chickpeas.

(Source:https://commodity-board.com/rising-prices-of-chickpea-amidst-declining-yields/)

•    For Instance, the article published by Veg News proclaims that eating too much Hummus (blend of chickpeas with tahini, garlic, and citrus) is dangerous as it causes increasing in IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), it’s a serious issue as 10-15% American population is suffering from it.

(Source:https://vegnews.com/vegan-health-wellness/eating-too-much-hummus).

Trends of the Chickpea Market

• High protein content and its use in different cuisines bring opportunities to grow in the market.

As a source of plant-based protein, they are particularly appreciated by those managing chronic health issues such as heart disease or diabetes, and are also associated with enhanced skin and hair health. Nevertheless, extreme climatic conditions, including erratic rainfall or high temperatures, can adversely affect production. According to KGSK Alliance, the organic chickpea sector is projected to experience substantial growth—reaching $2.4 billion by 2028 with a robust CAGR of 14.2%.

•    For Instance, according to the article published by Green Leaf the demand of the chickpea industry has grown and is predicted to reach USD 15.5 billion by 2023. The global chickpeas market is experiencing sales of US$ 7,948.2 million in 2023 to US$ 15,519.9 million by 2033 and CAGR will be 6.9%.

 (Source:https://www.gleaf.in/index.php/news/growing-demand-and-trends-of-chickpea-industry-poised-for-growth-predicted-to-reach-usd155-billion-by-2033).

Impact of the COVID-19 on the Chickpea Market

The COVID-19 pandemic caused restrictions on the chickpea market in terms of transportation, distribution, and labor availability, and it also disrupted the supply chain process. The significant customers of chickpeas and chickpea products are hotels, restaurants, and catering, and due to the lockdown, they were closed which caused a sharp decline in the demand for chickpeas. After the pandemic, the prices of restaurants have increased and almost 47 % of consumers have been affected by the rise in the price of the restaurants many consumers have changed their mindset and behavior toward the services provided to them. Furthermore, the disruption in International trade and logistics, coupled with the changing currency exchange rate, creates challenges for both importers and exporters leading to a reduction in the chickpea market globally.

Recent Development

•    On 2 June 2021, the whole business operations of Hinrichs Trading Co. (HTC), a major player in the North American chickpea industry, were acquired by Ardent Mills LLC. With its current flour milling company serving as a basis, Ardent Mills aims to grow strategically, and this acquisition is in line with that goal.

•    On 3 November 2021, Notable ingredient supplier Tate & Lyle PLC recently purchased a sizable amount of Nutriati's Richmond, Virginia-based operations. Nutriati is an expert in creating and manufacturing products based on chickpeas, most famously sold under the Artesa name. Tate & Lyle became the exclusive distributor of Nutriati's chickpea protein and flour, after an earlier agreement between the two companies, albeit the exact details of the transaction were not made public.

Chickpeas are rich sources of fiber, protein, and healthy fats, they also help in maintaining blood sugar and support heart health. They are therefore commonly consumed as a quick and healthful snack. The industry leaders are focusing on expanding their companies through acquisitions and investments. The addition of new value-added product lines will make it possible to distribute innovative products globally as a result of this expansion. In addition, these industry titans never stop funding R&D, bringing cutting-edge styles, materials, and practical features to clothing wardrobes to meet changing customer demands and preferences.

Frequently Asked Questions