Dried shelled chickpeas market in Lebanon

Earlier Report Observations

The market for dried shelled chickpeas in Lebanon grew substantially from 14 634 t in 2018 to 21 331 t in 2020, despite a minor dip in 2019. Over the same period, domestic production more than doubled, increasing from 1 038 t to 2 480 t. Imports also surged in 2020, reaching 21 083 t, which supported the record market volume that year.

A new Public Procurement Law was enacted in July 2021, aiming to reform government spending and enhance transparency, potentially affecting procurement and distribution channels for goods like chickpeas. The total market volume declined to 19 208 t that year and then fell sharply to 12 695 t in 2022. By 2023, the market saw a modest recovery to 13 554 t but remained constrained by a severe economic crisis that drove poverty rates to 44%, severely impacting consumer purchasing power. The activation of the Competition Law (No. 281 of 2022) in 2023 sought to address market monopolies and collusive practices that were contributing to high prices.

In 2024, imports of dried shelled chickpeas rebounded to 15 695 t, while exports were 1 302 t. The market continued to face external pressures from global inflation, high international freight and raw material costs, and extreme climatic changes that affected agricultural output. Lebanon's large trade deficit and persistent domestic market monopolies further influenced price levels and availability.

Production dried shelled chickpeas in Lebanon

In kind, 2017-2020, t

Top producers of dried shelled chickpeas, 2017-2020

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

Lebanon's production of dried shelled chickpeas has increased for the second year in a row. In 2020, the country produced 2 480 tonnes, which represents a significant 41.7% increase compared to 2019. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, overall production decreased by 10.9%, averaging an annual decline of 3.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2018 at just 1 038 tonnes, which also saw the largest annual decline of 62.7%. In contrast, 2019 experienced the biggest increase, with production jumping by 68.6%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, K $ US

The value of dried shelled chickpeas production in Lebanon has also risen for the second consecutive year. In 2020, output was valued at 1 670 thousand US dollars, marking a solid 10.1% increase from 2019. Over the four-year span from 2017 to 2020, however, production value fell by 49.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of -20.3%. The lowest value was recorded in 2018 at 1 262 thousand US dollars, which also saw the steepest decline of 61.7%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, with a 20.2% rise.

Annual dynamics of production in Lebanon in value, 2017-2020, K $ US

Exports dried shelled chickpeas from Lebanon

Exports in kind, t

Export volumes of dried shelled chickpeas from Lebanon showed considerable fluctuations during this period. In 2020, exports reached 2 231 tonnes, a sharp increase of 109.1% compared to the previous year. The lowest point was in 2017, with exports varying by a factor of 2.2 between the high in 2020 and this low. The largest decline was recorded in 2019, when exports dropped by 27.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Syria was the leading buyer of Lebanese dried shelled chickpeas, accounting for 43.9% of exports in volume. Turkey followed with 17.5%, and Jordan with 13.0%. Together, these three countries made up 74.3% of Lebanon's total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, K $ US

In 2020, the value of Lebanon's dried shelled chickpeas exports totaled 1 502 thousand US dollars, a dramatic 62.5% increase from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, export value grew by 25%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 925 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 48.3%. The peak value occurred in 2018, reaching 1 789 thousand US dollars.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Syria remained the top destination for Lebanese dried shelled chickpeas in value terms, representing 44.4% of exports. Turkey accounted for 15.5%, and Qatar for 8.2%. Combined, these three markets made up 68.1% of total export flows by value.

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

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

Imports dried shelled chickpeas to Lebanon

Imports in kind, t

In 2020, Lebanon imported 21 083 tonnes of dried shelled chickpeas, a 53.2% increase from 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, import volumes rose by 41.7%, with a compound annual growth rate of 12.3%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2019 at 13 762 tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 8.7%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey was the leading source of dried shelled chickpeas imports to Lebanon in volume, accounting for 24.9%. Mexico followed with 20.2%, and the United States with 16.2%. Together, these three countries supplied 61.3% of Lebanon's total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, K $ US

After two years of decline, the value of dried shelled chickpeas imports to Lebanon increased in 2020. Imports amounted to 13 621 thousand US dollars, a sudden gain of 31.9% compared to 2019. However, over the period from 2017 to 2020, import value decreased by 31.1%, with a compound annual growth rate of -11.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 10 330 thousand US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 45.3%.

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

Throughout 2017 to 2020, Mexico was the primary source of dried shelled chickpeas imports to Lebanon in value terms, representing 24.8%. Turkey accounted for 18.4%, and the United States for 18.3%. Collectively, these three markets made up 61.5% of total import flows by value.

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

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