Dried shelled chickpeas market in Southern Europe

Earlier Report Observations

From 2018 to 2019, the market volume for dried shelled chickpeas in Southern Europe grew from 109.9 thousand tons to 122.4 thousand tons. This expansion was primarily driven by evolving consumer preferences towards healthier and more sustainable foods, coupled with a growing interest in plant-based diets, which increased demand for chickpeas and derived products like flour and protein.

The market contracted to 117.3 thousand tons in 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted global supply chains, affecting imports. A more pronounced drop followed, with volume falling to 82.9 thousand tons in 2021 due to climate variability and droughts that reduced chickpea yields and increased costs, limiting availability. In 2022, the market volume decreased further to 76.6 thousand tons.

A sharp recovery occurred in 2023, with market volume jumping to 119.1 thousand tons. This rebound was supported by the continued trend towards plant-based eating and the growth of e-commerce as a key sales channel, which facilitated distribution and met sustained consumer demand for convenient, healthy options.

Production dried shelled chickpeas in Southern Europe

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Top producers of dried shelled chickpeas, 2017-2020

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

The market exhibited volatility throughout the observed period. Production volumes reached their lowest point in 2019 at 6.4 thousand tons, then climbed to a peak in 2017, representing an 18-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Southern Europe produced 6.5 thousand tons of dried shelled chickpeas, marking a 1.8% increase compared to the previous year. The most significant decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 94.3%.

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

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Dried shelled chickpeas production in Southern Europe declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the output was valued at 6.7 million US dollars, showing a significant decline of 15.8% relative to the prior year. Between 2017 and 2020, production decreased by 96.3%, which equates to an annualized rate of 66.7%.

Annual dynamics of production in Southern Europe in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports dried shelled chickpeas from Southern Europe

Exports in kind, K t

After a two-year decline, exported volumes of dried shelled chickpeas from Southern Europe increased in 2020. The export volume totaled 15.8 thousand tons, representing a rise of 17.2% compared to the previous year. The minimum value was recorded in 2019 at 13.5 thousand tons. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 30.8%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.5%. The largest decline occurred in 2018, with a drop of 34.4%.

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

During the period from 2017 to 2020, exports of dried shelled chickpeas from Southern Europe were distributed across numerous markets. Turkey accounted for 9.2% of exports in kind, Morocco for 8.9%, and Belgium for 8.5%, with these three countries jointly representing only 26.6% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

Dried shelled chickpeas volumes leaving Southern Europe declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Southern Europe exported 16.3 million US dollars of dried shelled chickpeas, reflecting a modest decline of 3.1% from the year earlier. Between 2017 and 2020, exports decreased by 54.7%, equating to an annualized rate of 23.2%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Turkey accounted for 9.3% of exports in value terms, France for 9.1%, and Germany for 8.8%, forming the largest group of buyers of dried shelled chickpeas from Southern Europe. However, their combined contribution was limited to 27.2% of total exports in value terms, indicating a diversified country structure.

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

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

Imports dried shelled chickpeas to Southern Europe

Imports in kind, K t

After a two-year increase, dried shelled chickpeas deliveries to Southern Europe declined in 2020. Southern Europe imported approximately 126.6 thousand tons of dried shelled chickpeas, indicating a reduction of 2.2% year-over-year. The maximum value was recorded in 2019 at 129.5 thousand tons. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports increased by 28.8%, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.8%. The largest increase occurred in 2018, with a rise of 20.4%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the United States accounted for 30.0% of imports in kind, Mexico for 26.2%, and Argentina for 23.2%, continuing to lead as the top suppliers of dried shelled chickpeas to Southern Europe. Together, these three countries accounted for 79.4% of total imports in kind.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Southern Europe's dried shelled chickpeas import volume declined for the third consecutive year. In 2020, Southern Europe imported 97.4 million US dollars of dried shelled chickpeas, which is 6.7% lower compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports decreased by 29.9%, equating to an annualized rate of 11.2%.

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

During the period from 2017 to 2020, Mexico accounted for 30.8% of imports in value terms, the United States for 29.3%, and Argentina for 20.5%, forming the main cluster of markets for imports in value terms. Their combined share represented 80.5% of total flows.

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

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