Dried shelled chickpeas market in MENA

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2020, the dried shelled chickpeas market in the MENA region remained relatively stable, with volumes hovering around 880 thousand tons. Regional production increased in 2019 to 437 thousand tons, supported by global expansion in chickpea cultivation, including plans by Ferrari Agriculture to plant 5,000 hectares in Brazil, indicating new player entry and increased production capacity. However, production declined in 2020 to 408 thousand tons, contributing to a slight market contraction.

Market volume peaked at 913 thousand tons in 2021 before dropping to 845 thousand tons in 2022. A partial recovery to 860 thousand tons occurred in 2023. Trade flows during this period were affected by regulatory changes, notably Turkey's export ban on chickpeas until March 2023 and new export rules introduced in August, which altered market access and supply dynamics for the MENA region.

Into 2024, import volumes rose sharply to 670 thousand tons, reflecting broader market trends such as fluctuating yields in major producing countries due to climate change, growing consumer health consciousness driving demand for plant-based proteins, and the emergence of new chickpea-based product segments.

Production dried shelled chickpeas in MENA

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried shelled chickpeas, 2017-2020

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

In 2020, MENA produced 408.4 thousand tonnes of dried shelled chickpeas, marking a 6.5% decrease from the previous year. Looking at the period from 2017 to 2020, production overall declined by 3.3%, with a compound annual growth rate of 1.1%. The lowest production level was in 2018 at 385.5 thousand tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2019 with 436.8 thousand tonnes. The most significant drop was in 2018 at 8.7%, and the largest increase was in 2019 at 13.3%.

Annual dynamics of production in MENA in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Exports dried shelled chickpeas from MENA

Exports in kind, K t

Following two years of decline, exports of dried shelled chickpeas from MENA rebounded in 2020. The export volume reached 41.2 thousand tonnes, showing a strong 14.1% increase compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 41.4%, with a compound annual growth rate of 16.3%. The lowest point was in 2019 at 36.1 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 45.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the export structure in terms of volume was quite diversified. Pakistan accounted for 13.3% of exports, India for 4.7%, and Afghanistan for 3.7%, together making up just 21.7% of total flows. No single country held a clearly dominant position in the market.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, the value of dried shelled chickpeas exports from MENA stood at 69.6 million US dollars, representing a 7.6% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports decreased by 31.2%, with a compound annual growth rate of 11.7%. The lowest value was recorded in 2019 at 64.7 million US dollars, while the highest was in 2018 at 153.2 million US dollars. The largest decline occurred in 2019 at 57.8%, and the biggest increase was in 2018 at 51.3%.

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

The export structure in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was dispersed. Pakistan contributed 18.0% of exports, Afghanistan 3.6%, and India 3.2%, together accounting for just 24.8% of total flows. The remaining 75.2% was distributed among a wide range of other destinations.

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

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

Imports dried shelled chickpeas to MENA

Imports in kind, K t

After two years of decrease, imports of dried shelled chickpeas into MENA rose in 2020. The import volume totaled 512.5 thousand tonnes, reflecting a modest 5.9% gain year-over-year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 17.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.2%. The lowest volume was in 2019 at 484.1 thousand tonnes, which also experienced the largest decline of 14.3%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the import structure in terms of volume was dispersed. Turkey accounted for 18.5% of imports, India for 14.3%, and Australia for 12.9%, together forming just 45.7% of total flows. The remaining 54.3% was split among a wide range of other sources.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Following two years of decline, the value of dried shelled chickpeas imports into MENA increased in 2020. Imports totaled 379.5 million US dollars, which is 3.7% higher compared to 2019. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports decreased by 50%, with a compound annual growth rate of 20.7%. The lowest value was in 2019 at 366.0 million US dollars, which also saw the largest decline of 35.4%.

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

The import structure in value terms from 2017 to 2020 was dispersed. Turkey accounted for 17.5% of imports, India for 15.7%, and Mexico for 11.8%, together making up just 45.0% of total flows. The remaining 55.0% was distributed among a wide range of other destinations.

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

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