Chickpeas market projected to hit $29 billion by 2033

The global chickpeas market is projected to grow from $18.2 billion in 2026 to $29.0 billion by 2033, driven by demand for plant-based protein, vegan diets and sustainable ingredients. Asia-Pacific leads the market now, while North America and Europe are seeing faster uptake in hummus, flour and meat alternatives.

Why it matters: - Chickpeas are gaining share as consumers seek plant-based protein, clean-label ingredients and sustainable food options. - The market's projected rise to US$29.0 billion by 2033 signals more demand for chickpea-based foods, ingredients and processing capacity. - The crop's lower water needs than many protein sources make it attractive for sustainable food systems.

What happened: - The global chickpeas market is estimated at US$18.2 billion in 2026. - The market is projected to reach US$29.0 billion by 2033. - The forecast implies a 6.9% compound annual growth rate from 2026 to 2033. - The report links growth to rising awareness of chickpea nutrition, more vegetarian and vegan diets, and broader use in food processing.

The details: - Chickpeas are valued for high protein, dietary fiber, essential minerals and versatility across food applications. - Food manufacturers are using chickpeas in snacks, ready-to-eat meals, flour products, beverages and meat alternative formulations. - Functional food categories and clean-label demand are expanding market opportunities. - The report highlights advances in food processing, more pulse-based product innovation and broader international trade as growth supports. - Segmentation in the report covers kabuli chickpeas and desi chickpeas. - Form categories include dried/raw, flour and powder, and ready-to-eat products. - Applications include food and beverages, animal feed, nutraceuticals and industrial uses. - End users include food processors and manufacturers, household and retail consumers, food service operators and institutional buyers. - The named competitive set includes ADM, Agrocorp Processing Australia, AGT Food & Ingredients, Ardent Mills, Avena Foods, Bean Growers Australia, Diefenbaker Spice & Pulse, ETG Group, Grain Processing Corporation, Ingredion, MT Royal, Nutriati and Superior Pulses. - The report offers a free sample report, customization request and full report checkout.

Between the lines: - Asia-Pacific is the leading region because of high production, strong consumption and chickpea's role in local diets. - India, Pakistan and Australia are major contributors to global production. - North America is growing on demand for plant-based proteins, gluten-free products and healthier snacks. - The United States and Canada are seeing more interest in hummus, chickpea flour and chickpea-based products. - Europe is also expanding on vegan and vegetarian demand, sustainable ingredients and functional nutrition. - Germany, the United Kingdom, France and Italy are seeing higher consumption tied to plant-based and Mediterranean-style diets. - The report points to plant-based burgers, snacks, pasta and dairy alternatives as part of the broader shift away from animal-derived products. - Regulatory support for sustainable agriculture and pulse cultivation is helping the category. - AI and data analytics are being used in agriculture to improve crop production, soil monitoring and supply chain efficiency. - AI-powered farming tools help farmers analyze weather, crop health and resource use.

What's next: - Demand is expected to keep rising as alternative proteins and health-focused diets spread. - Chickpea producers and processors are likely to benefit from more product innovation and wider foodservice use. - Precision farming, IoT monitoring and AI crop management are expected to support yields and more stable supply. - The report also flags ongoing opportunities for functional nutrition products, protein powders and plant-based beverages.

The bottom line: - Chickpeas are moving from a niche pulse crop to a broader ingredient platform for plant-based, gluten-free and sustainable foods.