Chickpeas are a leguminous crop rich in protein, starch and minerals, which is an important component of South Asian, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines, as well as widely used in the feed sector. Being one of the oldest types of legumes, it has been cultivated by humans for more than 7 thousand years and today it is represented by two main types: kabuli and desi. The kabuli variety is characterized by light, large grains and is distributed primarily in European countries, while desi chickpeas with darker and smaller grains are consumed mainly in South Asian countries and are more often used for flour production or as livestock feed.
The growing popularity of chickpeas in recent years is explained both by its high availability in a number of developing countries amid an increase in their population, and by the spread of the global trend towards healthy diets. This leguminous crop contains a large number of useful trace elements (zinc, iron, phosphorus, calcium, magnesium and potassium) and vitamins, and is also one of the key ingredients of many vegan and vegetarian food. In addition, chickpeas are widely used in the production of plant-based alternatives to meat and dairy products.
Asia is the leading region in terms of chickpea production and consumption, however, the cultivation and use of this leguminous crop is concentrated mainly in South and Southeast Asia, primarily in India, while in East Asia (for example, in China and Japan) the demand for chickpeas is significantly lower. Chickpeas are considered an important component of Indian cuisine and are included as the main ingredient in local food such as chana masala, dhokla and chana dal. In general, the spread of chickpeas in India and neighboring countries has historically been facilitated by its heat tolerance, drought tolerance and low price, as well as the vegetarian lifestyle of a large part of the local population (associated with socio-economic, religious and natural factors).
The Middle East is the birthplace of chickpeas, which has been used in the region from ancient times to the present day for cooking such world-famous food as hummus and falafel. The largest production and consumption of this legume is currently noticed in Turkey, where, in particular, the traditional delicacy leblebi, which is dried toasted chickpea seeds, is very popular. Chickpeas also play an important role in Lebanese cuisine, one of the most popular recipes of which is balila, a dish of boiled chickpeas with lemon juice, garlic and various seasonings.
African countries today have the highest consumption of legumes per capita in the world, but chickpeas are common only in certain regions (mainly in the northern and eastern parts of the continent). The largest African producer and consumer of chickpeas is Ethiopia, which has the most favorable climate for its cultivation. In the country, these products are used, in particular, in the cooking of butycha– a chickpea sauce also known as Ethiopian hummus. In addition, the dabo kolo snack is popular in Ethiopia (especially during the Enkutatash holiday), one of the variations of which involves the addition of chickpeas.
In Europe, chickpeas are consumed mainly in Mediterranean countries, where there are many recipes with the addition of this type of bean in their cuisines. In particular, Genoese farinata tortillas, Sicilian panelle fritters, Greek revifia soup and Canarian rancho soup are made from chickpeas. Chickpeas are also often used in various salads and in the form of flour. At the same time, overall demand for chickpeas is growing in economically developed European countries (including in the central and northern parts of the continent) today is provided primarily by the increasing popularity of plant-based foods and meat substitutes.
In 2024, global chickpea production amounted to 17.5 million tons, increasing by 5.8% compared to 2023 and almost reaching the record level of 2022. The decline observed in 2023 was due to reduced harvests in the largest producing countries, including India and Australia, against the backdrop of unfavorable weather conditions. Nevertheless, the overall trend in gross chickpea production remains positive: compared to 2020, global production of this legume increased by 11.5%. India, Australia, and Russia made the main contribution to this increase.
Chickpeas are one of the most widespread legumes in the world due to their high nutritional value, ease of cultivation, and resistance to hot, arid climates. Thus, in 2024, according to data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, the gross harvest of legumes worldwide amounted to 97.9 million tons, of which 17.9% was chickpeas. It is noteworthy that the share of this crop in the structure of world production is gradually increasing (in 2016, the indicator was 14.4%) due to growing demand, the development of cultivation technologies, and the emergence of new, more productive varieties on the market.
The leading producers of chickpeas are India, Australia, Russia, Turkey, and Ethiopia, which together accounted for almost 86.5% of the total global harvest of this crop in 2024.
India is the undisputed leader in the global chickpea market. In 2024, the country produced more than 11.0 million tons of chickpeas, accounting for 63.0% of the global total. The main factor stimulating the development of local production of this crop is considered to be high domestic demand, as India is the world's largest consumer of chickpeas. However, the country's current production capacity is insufficient to meet the steadily growing demand, and India purchases significant volumes of chickpeas abroad, ranking among the key importers of this crop. Moreover, in 2024, due to crop failure and a reduction in the gross harvest of chickpeas to its lowest level in five years, the country temporarily abolished import duties on this product and significantly increased its purchases.
In Australia, 2.3 million tons of chickpeas were produced in 2024, which is a record level for the country. The 4.6-fold increase in gross harvest compared to the previous year is due to favorable weather conditions in the main growing regions for this crop, as well as a sharp increase in imports from India. Australian chickpea production is largely export-oriented: most of the beans grown by local farmers are sold abroad, and the country is consistently the world's largest supplier of this product.
Russia has significantly increased its gross chickpea harvest in recent years, becoming one of the three largest producers of this crop in 2023. In 2024, domestic producers grew 811,100 tons of chickpeas, accounting for about 4.6% of the global total. Turkey, considered the most likely homeland of chickpeas, is also one of the world's largest producers today: in 2024, the gross harvest of this crop in the country amounted to 575,000 tons, which is approximately the same as in the previous two years. The country accounts for about 3.3% of global chickpea production. Local production is traditionally in high demand on the domestic market, while Turkey is also a key importer and exporter of chickpeas, as its favorable geographical location and developed infrastructure allow it to serve as a transit hub and regional center for processing legumes.
Ethiopia, the largest African producer of this crop, with the most favorable climatic conditions for its cultivation, rounded out the top five players in the global chickpea market in 2024. In recent years, the country's gross chickpea harvest has consistently exceeded 400,000 tons, and in 2024, the figure reached a record 470,000 tons, or 2.7% of the global total. The legumes grown in Ethiopia are mainly intended for domestic consumption, but the country also supplies significant volumes of chickpeas to foreign markets.
Global chickpea consumption in 2024 amounted to approximately 17.2 million tons, which is 1.8% higher than the previous year and practically corresponds to the record level of 2022. Most of this production is consumed as food (chickpeas are cooked separately, included in many recipes, and canned), with about 20% going to livestock feed. The regions with the highest per capita consumption of chickpeas for food are South Asia and the Middle East.
In the structure of global consumption of dried legumes (98.2 million tons), chickpeas accounted for 17.5% in 2024. This indicator is gradually increasing in proportion to the development of chickpea production due to its affordability and nutritional value, including in comparison with other legumes (such as lentils and peas).
The Indian chickpea market has historically been the largest in the world, and in recent years, consumption of this product in India has remained at around 12.5 million tons. Demand for chickpeas in the country is fairly stable, especially given the significant reduction in domestic production in 2024, which forced the country to increase purchases on foreign markets. In total, the Indian market accounted for about 72.7% of global consumption of this crop in 2024.
The second largest consumer of chickpeas in the world is Turkey, where demand for this type of legume has remained consistently high, varying between 570,000 and 820,000 tons over the past few years. Chickpeas are used in popular recipes such as hummus and leblebi, which ensures their popularity regardless of production dynamics and global market conditions. In 2024, chickpea consumption in the country amounted to 669,600 tons, or 3.9% of the global total.
Pakistan rounds out the top three largest consumers of chickpeas, where, despite large volumes of sales (618,400 tons in 2024, or 3.6% of the global total), there is a steady trend toward a decline in consumption of this legume, which is associated with the gradual replacement of chickpeas with meat as the main source of protein.
Chickpea consumption in Ethiopia remains stable, ranging from 375,000 to 425,000 tons in recent years. In 2024, it amounted to 424,000 tons, or 2.5% of the global total. At the same time, most of the chickpeas consumed in the country are locally produced, as the country is actively developing legume production and is not among the major importers of chickpeas.
Total chickpea consumption in the European Union countries in 2024 amounted to 345,200 tons (2.0% of the global volume), with Italy and Spain accounting for the largest share, where this product has historically occupied a special place in the national cuisine. In most other European countries, demand for chickpeas, like other sources of plant protein, is growing primarily due to the spread of vegetarianism and healthy eating in general.
In 2024, global imports of dried chickpeas reached a record level of 3.5 million tons worth US$2.9 billion, which is 28.1% higher than the previous year in volume terms and 32.6% higher in value terms. Overall, global imports of this product increased by 66.4% and 2.2 times, respectively, between 2020 and 2024, against the backdrop of steady growth in demand.
India was the world's largest importer of dried chickpeas in 2024, purchasing 1.3 million tons of this product on foreign markets (36.8% of global imports in volume terms). Pakistan (451,400 tons, or 12.9% of global imports) and Turkey (330,000 tons, or 9.4%) ranked second and third, respectively, among the main chickpea importers at the end of the year. Bangladesh (8.0%) and the UAE (4.1%) were also among the top five importers of this product in volume terms. In total, the 10 largest buyer countries accounted for 84.2% of global imports of dried chickpeas in volume terms in 2024.
Between 2020 and 2024, Turkey significantly increased its purchases of dried chickpeas (by 2.5 times or 200,500 tons), Algeria (+61.0% or +47.1 thousand tons), the UAE (+46.0% or +45.7 thousand tons), and Bangladesh (+41.3% or +82.1 thousand tons). At the same time, imports of this product decreased in Iran (-18.8% or -13.4 thousand tons), EU countries (-13.9% or -20.2 thousand tons) and the US (-3.7% or -2.3 thousand tons). In 2024, India increased its purchases of chickpeas by 5.8 times in volume terms compared to the previous year due to the cancellation of import customs duties on this product from May 2024 to April 2025 against the backdrop of a poor harvest in the country due to unfavorable weather conditions.
In terms of value, India was the largest importer of dried chickpeas in 2024, purchasing $942.4 million worth of this product (32.6% of global imports). Pakistan (US$309.8 million or 10.7% of global imports) and Turkey (US$287.8 million or 10.0%) also accounted for a significant volume of purchases at the end of the year. In addition, Bangladesh (6.6%) and Algeria (5.8%) were among the top five importers of chickpeas in terms of value. In total, the top 10 buyer countries accounted for 82.2% of global imports of this product in terms of value in 2024.
In 2020–2024, the main growth in global imports of dried chickpeas in value terms was provided by India (6.2 times or US$789.8 million), Turkey (3.2 times or US$197.3 million), Algeria (2.9 times or US$108.4 million), the UAE (+99.4% or +US$60.8 million) and Bangladesh (+97.2% or +US$94.1 million).
In 2024, global exports of dried chickpeas reached a record 3.5 million tons worth US$2.9 billion, which is 27.5% higher than the previous year in volume terms and 35.0% higher in value terms. At the same time, global exports of this product increased by 64.8% and 2.3 times, respectively, over the period 2020–2024.
Australia is the largest exporter of dried chickpeas – in 2024, the country exported 1.6 million tons of this type of legume, accounting for 45.3% of global exports. Russia (539,300 tons or 15.3% of global exports) and Turkey (342,300 tons or 9.7%) were also among the leading players in the global chickpea market at the end of the year. In total, the top 10 countries supplying dried chickpeas to the global market in 2024 accounted for 95.2% of global exports of this product in volume terms.
Between 2020 and 2024, the most significant increases in dried chickpea supplies were from Australia (3.7 times or 1.2 million tons), Russia (+51.3% or +182.7 thousand tons), India (+41.9% or +73.0 thousand tons), and Turkey (+33.6% or +86.1 thousand tons). At the same time, exports of this product from the US (-52.5% or -86.8 thousand tons), Argentina (-27.9% or -37.4 thousand tons) and the UAE (-12.5% or -7.0 thousand tons) decreased over the same period.
In value terms, Australia accounted for the largest share of global exports of dried chickpeas in 2024 (more than US$1.1 billion, or 39.1% of global supplies). Turkey (US$355.0 million or 12.4%) and Russia (US$333.9 million or 11.6%) also hold strong positions in the market. In total, the top 10 supplier countries of dried chickpeas accounted for 95.0% of global exports of this product at the end of the year.
In 2020–2024, there was a significant increase in the value of dried chickpea exports from Australia (5.0 times or US$897.7 million), Russia (2.5 times or by US$199.9 million), Turkey (2.3 times or by US$199.6 million), Canada (2.1 times or by US$66.5 million), and India (2.0 times or by US$146.9 million). At the same time, supplies of this product from the US decreased (-17.5% or -19.1 million US dollars) over the same period.
The average import price of dried chickpeas on the world market at the end of 2024 increased by 3.5% compared to the previous year and amounted to US$825 per ton.
Among the leading importing countries, the most expensive products were purchased by Algeria (62.2% above the world average price), EU countries (42.7% above), the US (36.2% above), and Saudi Arabia (28.4% above). The lowest purchase prices were recorded in Bangladesh (17.6% below the world average price), Pakistan (16.8% below), Iran (13.1% below), and India (11.4% below).
The average export price of dried chickpeas in 2024 was US$816 per ton, which is 5.9% higher than in 2023. The most expensive products among the key exporting countries were supplied by Mexico (65.6% higher than the world average price), India (42.5% higher), and the United States (40.4% higher). The lowest prices at the end of the year were recorded for chickpeas from Russia (24.1% below the global average price) and Australia (13.8% lower).
