Dried shelled chickpeas market in Algeria

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled chickpeas in Algeria expanded from 118.6 thousand tons in 2018 to 126.7 thousand tons in 2019, before contracting to 117.0 thousand tons in 2020 and further to 107.7 thousand tons in 2021. In 2020, the government incorporated legume development, including chickpeas, into its sectoral agricultural roadmap for 2020-2024, aiming to meet national needs and reduce imports, setting a long-term policy direction.

From 2022, state interventions began to directly influence the market. A Council of Ministers decision in April 2022 raised the purchase prices for pulses paid to farmers to stimulate local cultivation. Concurrently, the state-owned Algerian International Cereals Office (OAIC) was entrusted with importing dried pulses to regulate the market, which coincided with a recovery in market volume to 117.7 thousand tons that year. In 2023, a price surge for pulses led to further government action, including an ambitious plan to relaunch pulse cultivation for self-sufficiency and the establishment of direct sales points by cooperatives for locally produced lentils and chickpeas, supporting continued market growth to 123.5 thousand tons.

In 2024, the government removed the 9% value-added tax (VAT) on dried pulses, leading to lower consumer prices as officially set by the OAIC. This measure, alongside the OAIC's strengthened role in import control ahead of a planned import monopoly from November 2025, was accompanied by a sharp rise in imports to 126.9 thousand tons, reflecting sustained demand and the ongoing impact of state policy on market supply.

Production dried shelled chickpeas in Algeria

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Globally, Algeria ranked as the 18th largest producer of dried shelled chickpeas between 2017 and 2020.

Top producers of dried shelled chickpeas, 2017-2020

World map of production of dried shelled chickpeas, 2017-2020

Algeria's production of dried shelled chickpeas saw a two-year rise before declining. In 2020, the country produced 39 889 tonnes, marking a 1.2% decrease from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 35.8%, which translates to an average annual increase of 10.7%. The highest production level was recorded in 2019 at 40 369 tonnes, with the most significant year-on-year growth occurring in 2018 at 30.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in Algeria in kind, 2017-2020, t

Exports dried shelled chickpeas from Algeria

Exports in kind, t

The export market for dried shelled chickpeas from Algeria showed considerable volatility during these years. Exports reached their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 19-fold difference between these two years. In 2020, Algeria exported 96 tonnes, reflecting a sharp decline of 33.0% compared to 2019. The maximum export volume was recorded in 2019 at 143 tonnes, and the largest percentage increase occurred in 2019, surging by 1 825.0%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2017-2020, t

From 2017 to 2020, Saudi Arabia and India were the dominant destinations for Algeria's dried shelled chickpeas exports in volume terms, together accounting for 85.2% of total shipments. Other countries held significantly smaller shares during this period.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Algeria in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, M $ US

Market performance exhibited notable fluctuations over these years. Exports in value terms hit their lowest point in 2018 and peaked in 2019, with a 46-fold swing between these years. In 2020, Algeria's dried shelled chickpeas exports amounted to 0.0 million US dollars, representing a year-over-year drop of 69.8%. The highest value was recorded in 2019 at 0.2 million US dollars, with the largest percentage increase also occurring in 2019 at 4 524.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Between 2017 and 2020, India and Saudi Arabia remained the primary destinations for Algeria's dried shelled chickpeas exports in value terms, jointly capturing 88.2% of total export flows. Other trading partners individually accounted for much smaller shares.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's exports from Algeria in value, 2017-2020

Imports dried shelled chickpeas to Algeria

Imports in kind, t

After increasing for two years, Algeria's imports of dried shelled chickpeas in volume terms declined. In 2020, the country imported 77 164 tonnes, down by 10.7% from 2019. From 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 2.1%, equivalent to an average annual decline of 0.7%. The peak import volume was recorded in 2019 at 86 448 tonnes, with the largest year-on-year increase also occurring in 2019 at 7.7%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2017-2020, t

During 2017–2020, Mexico, India, and Turkey were the main sources of dried shelled chickpeas imports to Algeria in volume terms. Together, they accounted for 88.6% of total imports, with Mexico contributing 41.9%, India 34.7%, and Turkey 12.0%.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Algeria in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, M $ US

Algeria's imports of dried shelled chickpeas in value terms declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 57.7 million US dollars, a 6.8% decrease compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports fell by 58.7%, which corresponds to an average annual decline of 25.6%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

From 2017 to 2020, Algeria's imports of dried shelled chickpeas in value terms were primarily directed toward Mexico and India. These two countries together represented 81.8% of total import flows, while other destinations played a more minor role.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

World map of product's imports to Algeria in value, 2017-2020