Dried shelled chickpeas market in Southern Asia

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for dried shelled chickpeas in Southern Asia stood at 12 650 K t in 2018 but dropped to 11 341 K t in 2019. This decline coincided with low chickpea yields in India due to poor spread of improved varieties, abrupt climatic changes, and vulnerability to pests and diseases. In 2020, the market recovered to 12 308 K t as production increased.

The market continued to grow, reaching 12 920 K t in 2021, supported by strong domestic demand as India accounted for a significant share of global chickpea imports. In 2022, volume surged to 14 824 K t, driven by rising consumer preference for chickpeas as a protein source among vegetarians and vegans, along with urbanization and the popularity of ethnic cuisines. However, in 2023, the volume fell to 13 816 K t due to market volatility from unseasonal rains and rising temperatures, which affected production and export dynamics.

In 2024, the market witnessed substantial export growth to Turkey, the UAE, and Algeria, reflecting expanding international demand. New product launches, such as chickpea-based snacks by PepsiCo's Walkers brand and protein isolates by InnovoPro, indicated diversification and growth in plant-based protein segments.

Production dried shelled chickpeas in Southern Asia

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, Southern Asia produced 11,782 thousand tonnes of dried shelled chickpeas, marking a solid 11.2% increase compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 18.4%, which translates to an annualized growth rate of 5.8%. The highest production level was recorded in 2018 at 11,909 thousand tonnes. The largest year-on-year decline occurred in 2019, with a drop of 11.0%, while the biggest increase was seen in 2018, surging by 19.6%.

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

Exports dried shelled chickpeas from Southern Asia

Exports in kind, K t

The market showed an unstable trend throughout the period. Exports reached their peak in 2018 and fell to their lowest point in 2020, with a 10.9-fold difference between these years. In 2020, cross-border shipments of dried shelled chickpeas from Southern Asia were recorded at 5.9 thousand tonnes, representing a decline of 43.7% compared to 2019. The maximum export volume was in 2018 at 65.0 thousand tonnes. The largest decline occurred in 2019, plummeting by 83.7%, while the largest increase was in 2018, jumping by 551.8%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the primary buyers of dried shelled chickpeas from Southern Asia were Iraq, accounting for 22.0% of exports in kind, the United Arab Emirates with 0.7%, and Turkey with 0.6%. Together, these three countries represented 23.3% of total exports in kind.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

There were noticeable fluctuations in market performance during this period. The highest export value was registered in 2018, while the lowest occurred in 2019, with a peak-to-trough ratio of 6.9 times. In 2020, Southern Asia's dried shelled chickpeas export volume amounted to 12.6 million US dollars, up by 6.1% year-over-year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 11.9 million US dollars, and the maximum was in 2018 at 82.7 million US dollars. The largest decline happened in 2019, dropping by 85.6%, while the largest increase was in 2018, soaring by 530.2%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Iraq and the United Arab Emirates stood out as the main buyers of dried shelled chickpeas from Southern Asia in value terms, together accounting for 24.7% of total exports.

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

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

Imports dried shelled chickpeas to Southern Asia

Imports in kind, K t

Southern Asia's dried shelled chickpeas import volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports came to 531.5 thousand tonnes, showing a contraction of 29.7% year-over-year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports decreased by 45.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of -18.5%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Australia led the import structure in kind with 48.1%, followed by Russia at 10.6%, and Canada at 5.9%. Together, these three countries accounted for 64.5% of total import flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Southern Asia's dried shelled chickpeas imports declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 302.4 million US dollars, representing a sudden reduction of 30.9% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 63.5%, equating to an annualized decline rate of 28.5%.

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

In the period from 2017 to 2020, Australia continued to be the main supplier of dried shelled chickpeas to Southern Asia in value terms, accounting for 47.5% of imports, followed by Russia at 7.8%, and Canada at 5.1%. Together, these three countries formed 60.4% of total imports in value terms.

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

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