Dried shelled chickpeas market in Sub-Saharan Africa

Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2023, the dried shelled chickpea market in Sub-Saharan Africa contracted in volume from 507 thousand tons to 343 thousand tons, with a pronounced drop in 2019 and the lowest point in 2022. In value terms, the market followed a similar path, declining from 342 million US dollars to 219 million US dollars.

In 2021, despite a smaller domestic market, chickpea production rose to 512 thousand tons. This increase was supported by a rising trend in vegan and vegetarian diets, which boosted demand for plant-based proteins, and by the growing use of chickpeas to produce textured protein as a meat substitute. The COVID-19 pandemic also directly and indirectly influenced associated industries. However, a surge in exports to 184 thousand tons reduced the volume available for local consumption.

In the following years, global drivers such as increased demand for plant-based proteins and greater sustainability awareness continued to shape the market. The emergence of new product segments like chickpea-based snacks and protein isolates, noted in global trends, influenced trade and consumption patterns, contributing to a partial market recovery by 2023.

Production dried shelled chickpeas in Sub-Saharan Africa

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 Sub-Saharan Africa, dried shelled chickpea production reached 505.6 thousand tonnes in 2020, marking a 2.6% increase from the previous year. However, looking at the broader period from 2017 to 2020, production declined by 8.2%, which translates to an average annual decrease of 2.8%. The lowest production level was recorded in 2019 at 492.7 thousand tonnes, while the peak occurred in 2018 with 556.9 thousand tonnes. The most significant drop happened in 2019, when production fell by 11.5%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020, K t

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Following a two-year decline, dried shelled chickpea production in Sub-Saharan Africa saw an upturn. In 2020, the output was valued at 300.9 million US dollars, representing a modest 10.0% rise compared to 2019. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production value decreased by 40.6%, averaging an annual decline of 15.9%. The lowest value was observed in 2019 at 273.5 million US dollars, with the largest drop occurring in 2018 at 26.6%.

Annual dynamics of production in Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Exports dried shelled chickpeas from Sub-Saharan Africa

Exports in kind, K t

The market exhibited volatility during these years. Exports bottomed out in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.7-fold difference between these extremes. In 2020, dried shelled chickpea exports from Sub-Saharan Africa reached 155.5 thousand tonnes, showing a slight increase of 1.6% from 2019. The minimum volume was recorded in 2018 at 56.9 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 39.8%. Conversely, the most substantial increase occurred in 2019, with exports surging by 169.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, India, the United Arab Emirates, and Pakistan were consistently the primary destinations for dried shelled chickpea exports from Sub-Saharan Africa. India accounted for 56.5% of exports in kind, the United Arab Emirates for 11.8%, and Pakistan for 8.1%. Together, these three countries represented 76.4% of total export flows.

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

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Exports in value, K $ US

Market behavior was marked by volatility in this period. Exports hit their lowest point in 2018 and reached their peak in 2020, with a 2.4-fold difference. In 2020, the value of dried shelled chickpea exports from Sub-Saharan Africa stood at 92 525 thousand US dollars, an 8.9% year-on-year increase. The minimum value was recorded in 2018 at 37 948 thousand US dollars, which also experienced the largest decline of 56.3%. The most significant increase occurred in 2019, with a rise of 123.8%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, India, the United Arab Emirates, and Pakistan were the three principal markets for dried shelled chickpea exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in value terms. Collectively, they accounted for 72.6% of total export value.

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

World map of product's exports from Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020

Imports dried shelled chickpeas to Sub-Saharan Africa

Imports in kind, K t

Market performance showed noticeable fluctuations during this time. Imports reached their lowest level in 2018 and peaked in 2020, with a 2.2-fold difference between these years. In 2020, Sub-Saharan Africa imported 15.7 thousand tonnes of dried shelled chickpeas, a strong increase of 10.5% from the previous year. The minimum volume was recorded in 2018 at 7.3 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 8.8%. The most substantial increase occurred in 2019, with imports jumping by 94.9%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, the supplier base for dried shelled chickpeas to Sub-Saharan Africa was diverse. The United States contributed 8.7% of imports in kind, Turkey 8.3%, and Australia 7.4%. Together, these three countries accounted for only 24.4% of total imports in kind, with many other nations holding smaller but still significant shares.

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

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in kind, 2017-2020

Imports in value, K $ US

Dried shelled chickpea imports into Sub-Saharan Africa increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 10 586 thousand US dollars, corresponding to a gradual rise of 5.5% compared to the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, imports grew by 42.2%, averaging an annual increase of 12.4%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Australia, India, and the United States played notable roles as suppliers of dried shelled chickpeas to Sub-Saharan Africa in value terms. Australia accounted for 11.5% of imports, India for 7.6%, and the United States for 7.3%. Their combined share reached 26.4% of total import value, indicating they were significant but not dominant players in the market.

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

World map of product's imports to Sub-Saharan Africa in value, 2017-2020