Chickpeas Market - Cumulative Impact of United States Tariffs 2025 - Global Forecast to 2030

The Chickpeas Market size was estimated at USD 7.21 billion in 2024 and expected to reach USD 7.69 billion in 2025, at a CAGR 6.60% to reach USD 10.58 billion by 2030.

The global chickpeas market stands at the intersection of rising consumer demand for plant-based nutrition and a growing emphasis on sustainable agricultural practices. As a versatile pulse revered for its high protein content, rich fiber profile, and low environmental footprint, chickpeas have emerged as a cornerstone in both traditional cuisines and modern health-focused diets. Within this evolving landscape, producers and stakeholders are navigating shifting supply chains, regulatory dynamics, and emerging consumption patterns that underscore the crop’s strategic importance.

This executive summary distills critical insights into the forces reshaping the chickpeas market, from transformative shifts in consumer behavior to the impact of evolving trade policies. By weaving together segmentation analysis, regional trends, and competitive intelligence, this overview equips decision-makers with a nuanced understanding of the opportunities and challenges ahead. Whether you represent a grower, processor, distributor, or investor, these findings illuminate the pathways to capture growth and reinforce resilience in an increasingly complex global marketplace.

The chickpeas market has witnessed a series of transformative shifts driven by evolving consumer preferences and innovative technological applications. Modern shoppers are increasingly drawn to plant-based proteins, elevating chickpeas from a traditional staple to a mainstream ingredient in meat alternatives, dairy substitutes, and functional foods. At the same time, the rise of clean-label expectations has spurred manufacturers to streamline ingredient lists, positioning chickpeas as a natural source of protein without requiring extensive processing.

On the supply side, digitalization is revolutionizing traceability and farm management practices. Precision agriculture tools, from satellite imagery to sensor-based soil monitoring, are enabling growers to optimize yields while conserving water and reducing inputs. This technological leap has been complemented by expanded mechanization in harvesting and post-harvest handling, boosting efficiency across form factors such as canned, dry, and frozen offerings. Simultaneously, sustainability certifications and regenerative farming initiatives are fostering premium pricing opportunities by rewarding practices that enhance soil health and biodiversity.

As the market continues to mature, strategic collaborations between seed developers, research institutes, and processing innovators are unlocking new high-yield, disease-resistant chickpea varieties. These partnerships not only bolster crop resilience against climate variability but also support the development of specialized ingredients tailored for snacks, spreads, and emerging protein applications. The convergence of consumer demand, digital transformation, and agronomic innovation marks a new era in which chickpeas are poised to play a central role in the global food system.

In 2025, the United States implemented revised tariff structures on chickpea imports, triggering significant reverberations throughout the international trade network. By increasing duties on specific source markets, the new measures have elevated landed costs for processors reliant on imported desi and kabuli varieties. This policy adjustment has prompted importers to reconfigure supply chains, exploring alternative origins and negotiating long-term procurement agreements to mitigate cost volatility.

Domestically, chickpea growers have benefited from improved competitiveness as lower‐cost imports face additional barriers. Farmers investing in bulk and retail pack production have seen an uptick in demand for locally cultivated dry chickpeas, with processors responding by scaling family pack and standard can facilities to meet shifting requirements. However, this transition has not been without challenges; elevated raw material prices have squeezed margins for branded hummus and falafel manufacturers, spurring innovation in cost containment and formulation adjustments.

On a strategic level, tariff-induced price differentials have accelerated the exploration of near-sourcing strategies, particularly in key distribution channels such as supermarkets & hypermarkets and online retail platforms. Stakeholders are evaluating the feasibility of vertical integrations, from contract farming arrangements to in-house processing capabilities. As a result, the longer-term impact on trade flows may include a realignment of major export corridors and a renewed emphasis on value addition within domestic processing footprints.

A granular examination of form reveals that canned chickpeas dominate shelf space in convenience stores and specialty outlets, where family pack variants appeal to high-volume users while standard can sizes cater to single-serving applications. Meanwhile, the dry segment, comprising both bulk and retail packs, continues to serve traditional hubs and institutional buyers, with frozen chickpeas emerging as a niche offering optimized for food service innovation and ready-meal integration.

Source differentiation between desi and kabuli types underpins recipe customization trends. Desi chickpeas, with their smaller size and nuttier flavor, are gaining traction in roasted chips and trail mix formulations, whereas the larger, creamier kabuli variety serves as the foundation for hummus, falafel, and mixed salads. Within the product spectrum, a clear dichotomy has formed between conventional volumes driving commodity channels and organic offerings commanding premiums in health-oriented markets.

Application insights further highlight the multifaceted nature of chickpea utilization. In salads and sides, mixed salads and side dishes crafted with these legumes enhance protein content and texture. Snacks and cereals-specifically roasted chips and trail mix-are leveraging chickpea flour and whole beans for gluten-free positioning. Spreads and dips, notably falafel and hummus, continue to expand beyond traditional food service into retail shelves. Across distribution channels, online retail has seen the fastest growth rate, complemented by steady performance in supermarkets & hypermarkets, specialty stores, and online platforms, while convenience stores capture impulse purchase occasions. End-use segmentation underscores a bifurcation between the food industry’s evolving ingredient demands and the animal feed sector’s appetite for cost-efficient protein solutions.

Regional markets exhibit stark contrasts in consumption patterns, driven by cultural influences, logistical infrastructures, and regulatory landscapes. In the Americas, innovation manifests through value-added products tailored for mainstream retail, with an emphasis on ready-to-eat dips and protein-fortified snacks. Producers in North America are forging partnerships with food tech startups to incorporate chickpea flour into bakery and pasta applications, thus broadening end-use opportunities beyond traditional boundaries.

Across Europe, the Middle East & Africa, chickpeas maintain a deeply rooted culinary heritage. Regional demand remains robust for conventional and organic supplies, especially within Mediterranean diets where mixed salads and side dishes feature chickpea variants prominently. Supply chain enhancements, including port expansions and cold storage facilities, are improving accessibility for frozen and canned forms, while downtown specialty markets in major cities spotlight premium and artisanal falafel and hummus offerings.

In the Asia-Pacific region, population growth, rising disposable incomes, and evolving dietary preferences are fueling rapid adoption of chickpea-based products. Trail mix and roasted chips are gaining shelf presence in urban convenience channels, while the food industry is increasingly incorporating protein-dense chickpeas into health bars and animal feed formulations. Cross-border trade corridors are expanding, with exporters tapping emerging economies to diversify risk and capture the upside potential in markets underpinned by burgeoning middle-class demographics.

Industry leaders are deploying multifaceted strategies to consolidate their positions in the chickpeas market. Major agribusiness conglomerates have pursued strategic acquisitions of specialized pulse processors, thereby integrating upstream capabilities and securing access to both desi and kabuli supply pools. Several players have also introduced proprietary seed varieties, collaborating with research institutions to enhance drought resistance and yield performance, which has become a key differentiator amidst climate variability.

Publicly traded firms and private enterprises alike are expanding their portfolios to include organic and value-added segments, capitalizing on margin expansions in premium channels. Strategic alliances with food service operators have enabled co-development of novel applications, from ready-to-heat Mediterranean bowls to clean-label snack bars. In parallel, investments in cold-chain infrastructure have reduced spoilage rates for frozen chickpea formats, opening new distribution avenues in emerging markets.

Meanwhile, mid-sized innovators are carving out niche leadership by focusing on single-origin branding, traceability certifications, and eco-friendly packaging solutions. Their agility in responding to consumer demand for transparency and sustainability has prompted larger incumbents to adopt similar practices. These competitive maneuvers underscore the sector’s dynamic nature, where both scale and specialization are forging pathways to sustained growth.

To capitalize on evolving market dynamics, industry leaders should pursue a multipronged approach that balances short-term agility with long-term resilience. First, integrating backward into contract farming agreements can stabilize raw material supply and hedge against price fluctuations. Establishing collaborative platforms with growers will facilitate the adoption of precision agronomy practices and regenerative farming principles, enhancing yield consistency and sustainability credentials.

Second, prioritizing product innovation in organic, high-protein offerings will address consumer desires for clean-label, nutrient-rich ingredients. Developing proprietary chickpea flours and concentrates tailored for specific applications-such as gluten-free bakery items or plant-based meat analogues-can unlock new revenue streams. Concurrently, investing in cold-chain and value-added processing capabilities will enable seamless expansion of frozen and ready-to-eat formats across supermarkets & hypermarkets and online retail ecosystems.

Third, leveraging digital marketing channels and direct-to-consumer platforms will drive brand engagement and consumer loyalty. Interactive content showcasing recipe applications, sustainability stories, and traceability data can differentiate offerings in a crowded marketplace. Finally, active engagement with policymakers and trade bodies will ensure that tariff frameworks and regulatory requirements support balanced growth, encouraging continued innovation while safeguarding fair trade principles.

This analysis is grounded in a rigorous, multi-tiered research framework. Initially, comprehensive secondary research was conducted across global trade databases, agriculture journals, and industry publications to map key market dimensions. Supplementing this desk-based intelligence, primary interviews were carried out with growers, processors, distributors, and end-use customers to validate market drivers, segmentation trends, and competitive strategies.

Quantitative data points were triangulated through cross-verification of import-export statistics, corporate filings, and retail scanner data, ensuring statistical reliability across form, source, and product categories. Qualitative insights were gleaned from executive-level discussions focusing on operational challenges, technological adoption, and regulatory impacts. A structured framework was then applied to distill regional variances and tariff implications, culminating in a synthesized set of strategic recommendations.

Throughout the process, an iterative validation cycle engaged subject-matter experts in agronomy, food science, and trade policy, guaranteeing that findings reflect the latest technological developments and market realities. The resulting methodology yields a robust, action-oriented understanding of the chickpeas landscape, equipping stakeholders with the insights needed to navigate complexity and drive sustainable growth.

As the global food ecosystem evolves, chickpeas are uniquely positioned to satisfy rising demands for healthful, sustainable protein sources while offering versatile applications across multiple channels. The market’s expansion is being propelled by consumer preferences for plant-based diets, technological advancements in precision agriculture, and innovative processing that enhances convenience and nutritional value.

Nonetheless, stakeholders must remain vigilant of trade dynamics, particularly shifting tariff regimes that can distort cost structures and supply flows. Strategic segmentation-spanning form, source, product, application, distribution channel, and end use-provides a blueprint for identifying high-growth niches. Moreover, regional variations underscore the importance of tailored market entry and expansion strategies, whether targeting mainstream retail in the Americas, heritage cuisine in Europe, Middle East & Africa, or emerging health markets in Asia-Pacific.

By integrating competitive intelligence with a forward-looking perspective on sustainability and digitalization, industry participants can chart a course that captures value across the spectrum. Ultimately, those who proactively align supply chain practices, product innovation, and strategic partnerships will emerge as the leaders in a vibrant, fast-growing chickpeas market.

Don't let uncertainty in market dynamics hold your strategy back. Reach out to Ketan Rohom, Associate Director, Sales & Marketing at 360iResearch to gain access to the full chickpeas market research report. With in-depth analysis, actionable insights, and comprehensive data, you will be equipped to make confident decisions and drive growth in this rapidly evolving sector. Contact Ketan today to secure your copy and transform industry challenges into competitive advantages