Chickpeas Market - Global Forecast 2026-2032

The Chickpeas Market size was estimated at USD 17.43 billion in 2025 and expected to reach USD 18.57 billion in 2026, at a CAGR of 6.97% to reach USD 27.94 billion by 2032.

Chickpeas have transitioned from niche ethnic ingredients to mainstream staples, celebrated for their nutrient density, versatility, and environmental benefits. As a protein-rich legume, chickpeas deliver a compelling blend of plant-based nutrition, offering approximately 19 to 25 percent protein content along with key dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. This combination has resonated strongly with health-conscious consumers seeking alternatives to animal-based proteins and gluten-containing grains. In the United States, consumption trends have mirrored global enthusiasm; chickpea intake among adults more than doubled between 2003 and 2018, rising from under two percent of adults reporting consumption to over four percent. This uptick reflects broader dietary shifts toward whole, minimally processed foods and aligns with growing recognition of chickpeas’ favorable glycemic response and cardiometabolic benefits. Abroad, chickpeas are intrinsic to culinary traditions across the Middle East, South Asia, and the Mediterranean Basin, where they fulfill both nutritional and cultural roles. Moreover, their capacity to fix nitrogen enriches soil health, reducing reliance on synthetic fertilizers and contributing to more sustainable farming systems. Together, these factors underpin the chickpea’s ascendance in retail, foodservice, and ingredient supply chains, making it a focal point for innovation in plant-based and functional food segments.

The chickpea industry is undergoing a fundamental transformation driven by intersecting trends in culinary innovation, sustainability, and technology. Rapid growth in plant-based diets has elevated chickpeas from traditional stews and hummus to starring roles in high-protein formulations and convenience offerings. Bold flavor experimentation has propelled ready-to-eat chickpeas into mainstream snacking, with brands introducing global profiles such as tikka masala and sriracha-lime to satisfy adventurous palates while maintaining a health halo. Concurrently, eco-conscious packaging initiatives are redefining product integrity, as compostable pouches and ocean-bound plastic containers emerge to meet consumer demand for reduced environmental impact. Technological advances in protein extraction have further broadened chickpea applications; high-purity isolates are now tailored for sport nutrition, nutraceutical formulations, and personal care products, signaling opportunities beyond food. These developments reflect a shift toward value-added, multifunctional ingredients that address sustainability objectives, dietary personalization, and transparency. As brands and ingredient suppliers invest in alternative sourcing and closed-loop packaging systems, they are laying the groundwork for a new era in which commoditized legumes become premium, impulse-driven offerings that resonate with next-generation consumers.

In early 2025, the United States implemented reciprocal tariff policies affecting key trading partners, including significant levies on agricultural imports. Tariffs ranging from 10 to 25 percent were applied to products sourced from Mexico, the European Union, China, and ASEAN nations, encompassing pulses like chickpeas. This policy shift has introduced multiple challenges across the supply chain, beginning with higher costs for ingredient-intensive operations. U.S. processors and food manufacturers report increases in input expenses of up to 12 percent, prompting a reevaluation of procurement strategies and increased emphasis on domestic pulse cultivation. Delays in cross-border shipments of fertilizers, machinery parts, and seed treatments-also subject to new duties-have exacerbated operational bottlenecks, undermining planting schedules and reducing yield optimization. In response, supply chain participants are diversifying supplier bases, turning to emerging pulse producers in Africa and South America while investing in precision-agriculture solutions to maximize in-field resource efficiency. Simultaneously, the higher landed cost of imports is reshaping pricing dynamics at retail, where consumers may see modest increases in chickpea-based products. However, the pivot toward localized production and vertical integration presents an avenue to mitigate tariff exposure, strengthen resilience, and capture value across the pulse value chain.

Insight into market segmentation reveals the nuanced forces shaping demand and value extraction within the chickpea category. Form preferences underscore divergent consumer needs: canned chickpeas in both family-size packs and standard cans dominate at-home convenience occasions, while dry chickpeas sold in bulk and retail-ready packs attract cost-sensitive shoppers and culinary enthusiasts seeking control over hydration and seasoning. Frozen offerings, though smaller in scale, appeal to premium convenience seekers valuing minimal processing. Source distinctions between desi and kabuli chickpeas drive both sensory and cultural affinities: Kabuli varieties command shelf visibility in retail packs due to their creamy texture and adaptability, whereas desi pulses maintain strong footholds in ethnic and emerging fusion applications. Conventional and organic product tiers further stratify the market, where clean-label organic lines achieve price premiums and consumer trust despite representing a smaller share of overall sales. Application channels illustrate the chickpea’s versatility: mixed salads and side dishes leverage chickpeas’ texture and fiber content for ready-to-eat meal kits; roasted chips and trail mixes draw on crunch and protein claims to capture on-the-go snacking; while falafel and hummus sustain their status as core spreads and dips integral to both quick-service menus and retail freezers. Distribution pathways also shape performance, with convenience stores and online retail fueling impulse buys and specialty stores and supermarkets fostering discovery through expansive format offerings. Finally, end uses bifurcate into animal feed, where chickpea by-products support protein supplementation in livestock diets, and the broader food industry, where chickpeas serve as foundational ingredients for diverse value-added products. These segmentation dimensions illuminate targeted-growth opportunities and supply-chain alignments that align with evolving consumer behaviors.

Regional dynamics in the chickpea market underscore the interplay between production capabilities, consumption patterns, and trade flows across the Americas, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific. In the Americas, the United States and Canada drive high-value processing and retail distribution, with an expanding base of domestic growers augmenting legacy imports from South America. Here, infrastructure investments in advanced processing facilities support value-added product development and private-label partnerships. Across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, chickpeas are both a traditional dietary staple and a modern health ingredient; demand in the European Union is bolstered by wellness trends, while consumption in Middle Eastern markets remains entrenched in cultural cuisines, sustaining stable import channels and local cultivation incentives. Africa’s emerging production hubs are also drawing investment to serve both regional consumption and export demand. The Asia-Pacific region exhibits dual characteristics: India, the world’s largest chickpea grower and consumer, focuses on domestic availability and minimal export volumes, while Australia leverages high-quality Kabuli varieties for premium export markets. Southeast Asian nations are gradually climbing the value chain, incorporating chickpeas into plant-based innovation and premixed culinary offerings. This regional mosaic highlights the necessity of tailored strategies that address localized supply-chain realities, regulatory environments, and cultural preferences.

Leading companies in the chickpea sector are deploying a range of strategic initiatives to strengthen market positions and foster innovation. Snack-focused portfolio expansions by multinational food giants underscore the legume’s appeal; for example, a major global snacking company has integrated chickpea crisps into its premium line, emphasizing clean-label credentials and sustainable sourcing practices. Established hummus producers maintain dominant shares through co-marketing agreements and flavor line extensions, while startups specializing in high-protein isolates have secured venture backing to accelerate R&D and capacity scaling. Ingredient suppliers are forging strategic partnerships with nutraceutical and personal care firms to embed chickpea-derived proteins into specialty formulations, illustrating the crop’s versatility beyond conventional food applications. Concurrently, agricultural cooperatives and grain merchandisers are investing in traceability systems and blockchain-enabled supply-chain platforms to ensure quality assurance and meet the growing demand for transparency. Through targeted acquisitions and joint ventures, these organizations are not only enhancing their processing capabilities but also broadening geographic reach into under-penetrated markets, thereby reinforcing the competitive landscape with both scale players and agile innovators.

To capitalize on the evolving chickpea landscape, industry leaders should adopt a multifaceted approach that balances supply-chain resilience with innovation in product development. Optimizing sourcing strategies by blending domestic cultivation initiatives with diversified international partnerships can mitigate tariff risks and input cost volatility. Concurrently, investment in processing technologies-such as advanced milling and protein extraction systems-will enable differentiation through high-purity isolates and specialty flours tailored for targeted applications. Emphasizing consumer-centric product launches that marry bold global flavors with clean-label packaging and digital traceability features can drive engagement and premium price realization. Firms should also prioritize collaborations with foodservice operators and e-commerce platforms to capture shifting consumption occasions and streamline last-mile distribution. Finally, embedding sustainability metrics throughout operations-from regenerative agricultural practices to eco-friendly packaging-will align brands with stakeholder expectations and bolster regulatory compliance, ensuring long-term competitiveness in a landscape increasingly defined by environmental and social imperatives.

This analysis leverages a rigorous methodology that synthesizes primary and secondary research inputs. Secondary data were drawn from authoritative sources, including global agricultural production statistics, trade databases, and consumer survey findings. Key quantitative metrics were extracted and validated against public records from government agencies and international organizations. Primary research involved structured interviews with growers, processors, distributors, and innovation leaders, providing qualitative depth on operational challenges, emerging trends, and competitive dynamics. Insights from industry conferences and investor presentations were triangulated to ensure accuracy and relevance. A detailed segmentation framework was applied to categorize market opportunities by form, source, product type, application, distribution channel, and end use. Regional assessments incorporated macroeconomic indicators, policy reviews, and stakeholder interviews across the Americas, EMEA, and Asia-Pacific. Finally, all findings underwent peer review by senior market analysts to confirm logical coherence and minimize bias, culminating in a comprehensive set of actionable insights and recommendations.

The global chickpea market is anchored by a convergence of nutritional, environmental, and consumer-driven forces that continue to reshape its trajectory. Key catalysts include the rise of plant-based diets, product innovation in high-protein and clean-label offerings, and strategic responses to evolving trade and tariff landscapes. While segmentation insights reveal clear opportunities in convenience formats, value-added ingredients, and premium organic tiers, regional nuances underscore the importance of localized strategies that respect cultural preferences and regulatory frameworks. Leading companies are differentiating through partnerships, technological investments, and supply-chain transparency initiatives, setting new benchmarks for quality and sustainability. Nevertheless, challenges persist in the form of tariff-induced cost pressures, capacity constraints in processing infrastructure, and the imperative to educate consumers about chickpeas’ versatility beyond traditional uses. By aligning research rigor with strategic agility, stakeholders can navigate these dynamics to unlock growth across applications ranging from animal feed to nutraceuticals. Looking forward, continued collaboration across the value chain and investment in innovation will be essential to fully realize the chickpea’s potential as a cornerstone of healthy, sustainable food systems.

To explore the comprehensive insights and strategic recommendations detailed in this executive summary, readers are encouraged to reach out to Ketan Rohom, Associate Director of Sales & Marketing, who can guide you through the full market research report. By engaging with Ketan, you gain direct access to in-depth analyses on production trends, tariff impacts, segmentation dynamics, regional outlooks, and competitive intelligence. This collaboration ensures you receive tailored information and support to inform your product development, supply chain strategies, and go-to-market plans. Connect with Ketan Rohom to secure the complete report and harness expert insights that will propel your organization ahead in the evolving chickpea industry.