Download Sample, Growing Demand for Chickpeas as a Sustainable Protein Alternative in Plant-Based Diets
The worldwide chickpea market is witnessing significant growth fueled by the rising popularity of plant-based diets, especially among health-aware individuals and younger age groups. In the United States, 66% of the population engages with plant-based foods, according to the Plant-Based Foods Association. The increase of vegetarianism, veganism, and flexitarian possibilities are many driving forces behind this. Chickpeas, which have become known as protein packs, are quickly taking over as forms of meat substitutes-from hummus to chickpea flour to roasted chickpeas. The legumes are being incorporated into snacks, burgers, and even meals all boasting a health boon apart from being environmentally friendly. Chickpeas are emerging as vital ingredients in changing foods as demand for sustainable, plant-based protein alternatives bubbles up.
Chickpeas have quite a high demand as they serve many health benefits, and they can be included in many kinds of foods. By nature, chickpeas are gluten-free, thus eligible for consumption by those who are celiac disease patients or are gluten sensitive enhancing the scope for these legumes further among consumers who are health conscious. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 830 million people globally are affected by diabetes, and chickpeas' low glycemic index makes them a beneficial option for blood sugar regulation. Chickpeas have the richest plant protein and fiber content, which is what vegans, vegetarians, or dieters craving low-fat high-nutrient foods choose. According to consumer awareness, the more important a plant-based diet becomes, the more chickpeas fit into healthy diets that are becoming a strong driver of their market demand.
Chickpeas are becoming recognized as an environmentally sustainable crop because they are drought-resistant and can be grown in areas of limited water supply. With increasing worries about climate change and diminishing resources, chickpeas are promoted for use instead of resource-greedy animal agriculture. They can produce their product with much lower amounts of water and chemical inputs than animal-based products. Therefore, it will become very attractive for environmentally thinking consumers. The move to more sustainable resources in food production added to the demand for chickpeas, especially as an emerging alternative source of dietary protein. This therefore places chickpeas as a prominent crop in the emerging movement toward producing food in a more environmentally friendly and efficient manner.
Chickpeas have quite a high demand as they serve many health benefits, and they can be included in many kinds of foods. By nature, chickpeas are gluten-free, thus eligible for consumption by those who are celiac disease patients or are gluten sensitive enhancing the scope for these legumes further among consumers who are health conscious. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 830 million people globally are affected by diabetes, and chickpeas' low glycemic index makes them a beneficial option for blood sugar regulation. Chickpeas have the richest plant protein and fiber content, which is what vegans, vegetarians, or dieters craving low-fat high-nutrient foods choose. According to consumer awareness, the more important a plant-based diet becomes, the more chickpeas fit into healthy diets that are becoming a strong driver of their market demand.
Chickpeas are becoming recognized as an environmentally sustainable crop because they are drought-resistant and can be grown in areas of limited water supply. With increasing worries about climate change and diminishing resources, chickpeas are promoted for use instead of resource-greedy animal agriculture. They can produce their product with much lower amounts of water and chemical inputs than animal-based products. Therefore, it will become very attractive for environmentally thinking consumers. The move to more sustainable resources in food production added to the demand for chickpeas, especially as an emerging alternative source of dietary protein. This therefore places chickpeas as a prominent crop in the emerging movement toward producing food in a more environmentally friendly and efficient manner.
Chickpea Flour Is Revolutionizing Gluten-Free Baking and Plant-Based Food Trends
The world market for chickpeas has quite been growing steadily accompanied by a rise in demand for plant-based proteins, an increase in health awareness across continents, and greater interest in vegetarian and vegan diets. Besides, growing concern about environmentally sustainable crops has enlightened chickpeas as an economically sustainable crop because of their very low carbon footprint and reduced water needs relative to other legumes. The chickpea plant has a propensity for fixing nitrogen in the soil, reducing the use of synthetic fertilizers. This characteristic of the legume is consistent with the regenerative practices that increasingly thrive among consumers and businesses over time in reducing their environmental footprints. All these aspects make the chickpea field transition towards more sustainable food systems.
The size of the world's snack food market is growing ever larger, as chickpeas find their way into products such as roasted chickpeas, chickpea chips, and crackers made from chickpea flour. Snacking is being made healthier by these products being marketed as alternative options to potato chips, processed snacks, etc. Protein-rich, gluten-free, and gradually replacing wheat flour for baking and cooking uses, chickpea flour is a popular ingredient. It is being used in the crafting of breads, pancakes, and gluten-free fritters, due to their huge growth opportunities in this expanding market segment. Formulators are using chickpea flour to create vegan burgers or sausages and meat substitutes that capitalize on protein content and texture, making it an ideal replacement for animal-based proteins.
The size of the world's snack food market is growing ever larger, as chickpeas find their way into products such as roasted chickpeas, chickpea chips, and crackers made from chickpea flour. Snacking is being made healthier by these products being marketed as alternative options to potato chips, processed snacks, etc. Protein-rich, gluten-free, and gradually replacing wheat flour for baking and cooking uses, chickpea flour is a popular ingredient. It is being used in the crafting of breads, pancakes, and gluten-free fritters, due to their huge growth opportunities in this expanding market segment. Formulators are using chickpea flour to create vegan burgers or sausages and meat substitutes that capitalize on protein content and texture, making it an ideal replacement for animal-based proteins.
Recent Trends in the Chickpeas Industry
- Plant-based protein demand drives chickpea production and innovation in food products
- Chickpea flour gaining popularity in gluten-free and keto diets globally
- Middle Eastern cuisine expanding globally, boosting chickpea consumption in various forms
- Health benefits like high fiber and low glycemic index boost market demand
- Chickpea-based pasta and bakery products becoming increasingly popular in the market
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Growing Competition from Alternative Legumes Threatens Chickpea Market Growth and Demand
The chickpea market is encountering growing competition from other legumes, such as lentils, peas, and soybeans, which are increasingly seen as viable alternatives in both human consumption and animal feed markets. Furthermore, with the increasing global demand for plant-based proteins such as soybeans, the situation is expected to have considerable power on the demand for chickpeas because such crops are recognized for their superior protein content and their higher potential yields under certain conditions than chickpeas.
For instance, in regions like North America and Europe, plant-based diets are slowly getting popularized, and consumers will likely prefer other legumes or pulses that cater to more versatile use in several recipes. Such changes in consumption patterns by consumers regarding processed chickpeas and the emergence of alternative protein sources will be a barrier to the expected growth of the chickpea market, which will require further diversification and innovation in product offerings.
There are various agricultural confrontations that the chickpea market may contend with in future development. The crop is attacked by a few troublesome pests such as aphids, pod borers, and beetles, which can do considerable harm to the crop at large. If the pest control operation is not carried out precisely, the yield will be reduced along with product quality. Additionally, chickpeas are prone to fungal diseases like Ascochyta blight, which can devastate entire crops. The escalating resistance against fungicides and shortage of disease-resistant varieties of chickpeas have aggravated the problem. Temperature rise and changing rainfall patterns, as a result of climate change, may benchmark the establishment of new regions by pests and diseases, posing a heightened threat to chickpea production worldwide. Such threats necessitate enhanced conditions for better pest management and disease-resistant varieties to stabilize growth and market.
For instance, in regions like North America and Europe, plant-based diets are slowly getting popularized, and consumers will likely prefer other legumes or pulses that cater to more versatile use in several recipes. Such changes in consumption patterns by consumers regarding processed chickpeas and the emergence of alternative protein sources will be a barrier to the expected growth of the chickpea market, which will require further diversification and innovation in product offerings.
There are various agricultural confrontations that the chickpea market may contend with in future development. The crop is attacked by a few troublesome pests such as aphids, pod borers, and beetles, which can do considerable harm to the crop at large. If the pest control operation is not carried out precisely, the yield will be reduced along with product quality. Additionally, chickpeas are prone to fungal diseases like Ascochyta blight, which can devastate entire crops. The escalating resistance against fungicides and shortage of disease-resistant varieties of chickpeas have aggravated the problem. Temperature rise and changing rainfall patterns, as a result of climate change, may benchmark the establishment of new regions by pests and diseases, posing a heightened threat to chickpea production worldwide. Such threats necessitate enhanced conditions for better pest management and disease-resistant varieties to stabilize growth and market.
Non-Invasive Hydration Technology is Transforming Chickpea Farming Practices
With innovative new farming methods, chickpea yields are increased beyond what is possible with cultivation, and this allows growing health-conscious chickpea products to satisfy increased consumer demand. The most advanced techniques, such as precision agriculture, drought-vulnerable varieties, and better irrigation systems, are enormously contributing to chickpea efficiency. A noteworthy breakthrough in the United States agricultural sector is the genetic breeding of chickpeas. Researchers have identified desi chickpeas, which may contain natural resistance to Pythium ultimum, a pathogen causing significant root rot. This enables possibilities along new dimensions for environmentally sustainable chickpea production by reducing chemical reliance and increasing crop resilience. Therefore, efficiency gains in chickpeas will also evolve toward greener, sustainable production that can continuously supply the increasingly plant-based protein-savvy consumers.
According to research by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, a revolutionary non-invasive technology to assess chickpea hydration efficiency was introduced in April 2024. This amazing technology will serve the farmers as a great tool to best optimize irrigation for and sustainability in chickpea cultivation. In addition, 2023 saw the launch of the world’s first high-protein chickpea variety, and NuCicer expanded its commercial-scale production by 10x in the summer of 2024 to meet the rising demand. Furthermore, a collaborative study by scientists from the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), the University of Western Australia, and Murdoch University uncovered the vast genetic diversity in wild chickpea species. The study highlighted the potential of these wild relatives to improve cultivated chickpeas by identifying 24,827 gene families and creating a super-pangenome.
According to research by the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, a revolutionary non-invasive technology to assess chickpea hydration efficiency was introduced in April 2024. This amazing technology will serve the farmers as a great tool to best optimize irrigation for and sustainability in chickpea cultivation. In addition, 2023 saw the launch of the world’s first high-protein chickpea variety, and NuCicer expanded its commercial-scale production by 10x in the summer of 2024 to meet the rising demand. Furthermore, a collaborative study by scientists from the International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), the University of Western Australia, and Murdoch University uncovered the vast genetic diversity in wild chickpea species. The study highlighted the potential of these wild relatives to improve cultivated chickpeas by identifying 24,827 gene families and creating a super-pangenome.
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Asia Pacific Dominates Global Chickpea Market with Leading Producers India and Australia
Asia Pacific region leads in the global market for chickpeas. It is also home to the leading countries for production and exports India and Australia. Chickpeas are mainly consumed in India, where they are part of the staple national diet. According to the Indian Institute of Pulses Research, India produced 13.75 million tons of chickpeas in December 2023. Raising the consumption of chickpeas in India is primarily due to awareness among people regarding plant-based proteins as well as the increment of vegetarians in the country. Australia happens to be famous globally for the huge exportation of chickpeas, with a good quality observed mostly in the Kabuli variety which is in great demand in several markets around the world. It has been noted by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences that, in 2023, Australia exported more than 751,300 tons of chickpeas to become solidly entrenched as a great player in the global arena of international chickpea trade.
North America registers high demand for more plant-based protein sources, with chickpeas currently leading in the popularity stakes among its consumers. Hence, increased consumer awareness about the health benefits of chickpeas that particularly favor digestibility is now forcing the adoption of such consumption. Canada is a major producer of desi chickpeas, exporting approximately 219,500 tons in 2023, according to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences. The Kabuli variety of chickpeas is what the United States also grows. The National Agricultural Statistics Service intends to raise chickpea production in the United States for 2024 to 2.21 million hundredweight, which marks an 11% increase from last year's crop of 1.99 million hundredweight, all signs pointing to the growing interest in chickpea-based food innovations.
North America registers high demand for more plant-based protein sources, with chickpeas currently leading in the popularity stakes among its consumers. Hence, increased consumer awareness about the health benefits of chickpeas that particularly favor digestibility is now forcing the adoption of such consumption. Canada is a major producer of desi chickpeas, exporting approximately 219,500 tons in 2023, according to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences. The Kabuli variety of chickpeas is what the United States also grows. The National Agricultural Statistics Service intends to raise chickpea production in the United States for 2024 to 2.21 million hundredweight, which marks an 11% increase from last year's crop of 1.99 million hundredweight, all signs pointing to the growing interest in chickpea-based food innovations.
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The report provides a detailed overview of the chickpeas market insights in regions including North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East and Africa. The country-specific assessment for the chickpeas market has been offered for all regional market shares, along with forecasts, market scope estimates, price point assessment, and impact analysis of prominent countries and regions. Throughout this market research report, Y-o-Y growth and CAGR estimates are also incorporated for every country and region, to provide a detailed view of the chickpeas market. These Y-o-Y projections on regional and country-level markets brighten the political, economic, and business environment outlook, which is anticipated to have a substantial impact on the growth of the chickpeas market. Some key countries and regions included in the chickpeas market report are as follows:
| Regions | Countries |
|---|---|
| North America | United States, Canada |
| Latin America | Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Central America Countries, Caribbean Countries, Rest of Latin America |
| Europe | Germany, United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Russia, Poland, Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Sweden, Austria, Norway, Denmark, Czech Republic, Rest of Europe |
| Asia Pacific | China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia & New Zealand, Indonesia, Singapore, Malaysia, Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand, Bangladesh, Rest of Asia Pacific |
| Middle East and Africa | GCC Countries, South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Turkey, Morocco, Ethiopia, Algeria, Israel, Iran, Iraq, Kenya, Rest of MEA |
Chickpeas Market Research Report Covers In-depth Analysis on:
- Chickpeas market detailed segments and segment-wise market breakdown
- Chickpeas market dynamics (Recent industry trends, drivers, restraints, growth potential, opportunities in chickpeas industry)
- Current, historical, and forthcoming 10 years market valuation in terms of chickpeas market size (US$ Mn), volume (Tons), share (%), Y-o-Y growth rate, CAGR (%) analysis
- Chickpeas market demand analysis
- Chickpeas market pricing analysis over the forecast period (by key segment and by region)
- Chickpeas market regional insights with the region-wise market breakdown
- Competitive analysis – key companies profiling including their market share, product offerings, and competitive strategies.
- Latest developments and innovations in the chickpea market
- Regulatory landscape by key regions and key countries
- Supply chain and value chain analysis in chickpeas market
- Chickpea market sales and distribution strategies
- A comprehensive overview of the parent market
- A detailed viewpoint on the chickpeas market forecast by countries
- Mergers and acquisitions in the chickpeas market
- Essential information to enhance market position
- Robust research methodology
- Frequently Asked Questions -
What factors are driving the growth of the chickpeas market?
The increasing demand for plant-based protein, health benefits associated with chickpeas, and rising vegan and vegetarian dietary trends are major factors driving the chickpeas market growth.
What are the major challenges faced by manufacturers in the chickpeas market?
Challenges include inconsistent supply due to climate variability, price fluctuations, and competition with other plant-based protein sources. Manufacturers also face logistical issues with transportation and storage.
How is the chickpeas market expected to evolve in the future?
The market is expected to see continued growth with rising demand for plant-based proteins, expanding applications in food and health products, and innovations in chickpea-based food alternatives.
