Chickpea Powders Market

MARKET INSIGHTS

Global chickpea powders market size was valued at USD 2.11 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow from USD 2.23 billion in 2025 to USD 2.98 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.2% during the forecast period. The steady growth is driven by rising demand for plant-based protein alternatives and increasing adoption of gluten-free ingredients in food processing.

Chickpea powder, derived from finely ground desi or kabuli chickpeas, is a nutrient-dense ingredient packed with protein (20-22% content), dietary fiber, and essential minerals. Its low glycemic index and cholesterol-free composition make it particularly valuable for health-conscious consumers. The product finds extensive applications across bakery, snacks, and dairy alternatives, with emerging use cases in plant-based meat formulations.

The market expansion is further propelled by strategic industry developments, such as Ingredion's 2023 launch of a new chickpea protein isolate with 80% protein content, targeting the sports nutrition segment. Regionally, Asia Pacific dominates consumption due to traditional usage in regional cuisines, while North America shows the fastest growth (projected 6.1% CAGR) as consumers shift toward clean-label ingredients. Key players like ADM and AGT Food & Ingredients continue to expand production capacities to meet the growing global demand.

MARKET DYNAMICS

MARKET DRIVERS

Rising Demand for Plant-Based Proteins to Fuel Chickpea Powder Market Expansion

The global shift toward plant-based diets is significantly driving the chickpea powder market, as consumers increasingly seek cholesterol-free protein alternatives. With approximately 35% of consumers actively reducing meat consumption, chickpea powder has emerged as a preferred protein source due to its nutritional profile and versatility. The market is further accelerated by the growing number of flexitarians, now representing around 42% of global consumers, who incorporate plant-based ingredients into their diets without fully eliminating animal products. Food manufacturers are responding by introducing innovative chickpea-based products, ranging from protein bars to dairy alternatives, capitalizing on this sustained demand.

Health Benefits and Functional Properties Enhance Market Penetration

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Chickpea powder's inherent health benefits are creating robust market opportunities across multiple food sectors. Its high fiber content (approximately 10g per 100g) and glycemic index of 28 make it particularly valuable for diabetic-friendly and weight management products. The presence of bioactive compounds like polyphenols and flavonoids, which exhibit antioxidant effects, further enhances its appeal in functional foods. Clinical studies indicate regular chickpea consumption can reduce LDL cholesterol by up to 5%, driving adoption in heart-health product formulations. Established markets like North America and Europe are witnessing accelerating growth as their health-conscious populations increasingly recognize these benefits.

➤ Notably, the global functional food market's projected 8% CAGR growth aligns directly with chickpea powder's expanding applications in fortified nutritional products.

Furthermore, the gluten-free properties of chickpea powder position it as a critical ingredient in the booming gluten-free products market, which is anticipated to exceed $8 billion in value by 2026. The ingredient's binding and textural properties also make it an ideal wheat flour substitute, particularly in bakery applications where it demonstrates superior moisture retention and shelf-life extension capabilities compared to conventional alternatives.

MARKET RESTRAINTS

Supply Chain Vulnerabilities and Climate Sensitivity Limit Market Expansion

While chickpea powder demand surges, production faces significant constraints from climate variability and logistical challenges. Chickpea cultivation predominantly occurs in water-stressed regions, with approximately 70% of global production concentrated in drought-prone areas. Yield fluctuations of up to 30% occur due to irregular rainfall patterns, creating supply inconsistencies that affect pricing stability. The recent volatility in global chickpea prices, ranging between $800-$1200 per metric ton, demonstrates this vulnerability and presents challenges for manufacturers in maintaining consistent product pricing.

Geopolitical and Infrastructure Challenges
Export restrictions in major producing countries like India, responsible for over 60% of global chickpea output, periodically disrupt international supply chains. Transportation bottlenecks in key regions such as Australia and Canada further compound these issues, with port congestion causing delays of up to three weeks during peak shipping seasons. These logistical inefficiencies increase landed costs by approximately 15-20%, creating a significant barrier for market expansion in price-sensitive emerging economies.

MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

Innovative Product Applications Create New Revenue Streams for Market Players

The proliferation of chickpea powder in non-traditional applications presents substantial growth avenues for industry participants. Recent product launches demonstrate remarkable innovation, including chickpea-based egg substitutes that replicate the functional properties of whole eggs with 80% less saturated fat. The sports nutrition sector shows particular promise, with chickpea protein isolates demonstrating comparable bioavailability to whey protein in clinical studies, while offering superior digestibility for lactose-intolerant consumers. This positions chickpea powder as a premium ingredient in the performance nutrition market valued at over $20 billion.

Emerging applications extend beyond food into sustainable packaging solutions, where chickpea protein films show substantial promise as biodegradable alternatives to conventional plastics. With the global edible packaging market projected to grow at 6.5% annually, this represents a high-value niche for chickpea powder manufacturers. Strategic collaborations between agricultural producers and material science companies are already yielding patentable technologies in this space, indicating strong future potential.

MARKET CHALLENGES

Processing Limitations and Consumer Perception Hurdles Constrain Adoption

The chickpea powder industry faces significant technical challenges in processing that affect product quality and market penetration. Traditional milling methods can generate undesirable flavors due to lipid oxidation, requiring expensive deodorization processes that increase production costs by approximately 18-22%. Particle size consistency remains problematic, with current milling technologies yielding only 65-70% usable fine powder from raw chickpeas. These processing inefficiencies create cost barriers that limit small manufacturers' ability to compete with established wheat flour producers.

Consumer Education Gap
Despite growing awareness, knowledge gaps persist regarding chickpea powder's culinary applications, particularly in Western markets. Approximately 42% of consumers in North America remain unfamiliar with appropriate substitution ratios when replacing wheat flour with chickpea variants. This education deficit extends to foodservice operators, where limited chef training on chickpea powder techniques restricts menu adoption. Addressing these perception challenges requires coordinated industry efforts in culinary education and recipe standardization to facilitate mainstream adoption across diverse food applications.

Segment Analysis:

By Type

Desi Chickpea Powder Dominates with Higher Nutritional Value and Traditional Food Applications

The market is segmented based on type into:

• Desi

  • Subtypes: Brown, Green, Black variations

• Kabuli

  • Subtypes: White, Cream-colored variants

• Others

By Application

Bakery and Confectionery Leads Due to Gluten-Free And High-Protein Demand

The market is segmented based on application into:

• Bakery and Confectionery

• Extruded Products

• Beverage

• Dairy Products

• Others

By End User

Food Processing Industry Holds Largest Share

The market is segmented based on end user into:

• Food Processing Industry

• Food Service Providers

• Retail Consumers

• Institutional Buyers

By Distribution Channel

Online Channels Gaining Significant Traction

The market is segmented based on distribution channel into:

• Direct Sales

• Supermarkets/Hypermarkets

• Specialty Stores

• Online Retail

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Key Industry Players

Strategic Expansion and Innovation Drive Market Competition

The global chickpea powder market showcases a competitive yet fragmented landscape, with established agri-food corporations competing alongside regional specialists and emerging niche players. Parakh Agro Industries, India's largest exporter of chickpea flour, dominates the market with its extensive production capacity of over 200,000 metric tons annually and vertically integrated supply chain spanning from farm to processing.

Ingredion and ADM (Archer Daniels Midland) have significantly expanded their pulse-based ingredient portfolios, leveraging their global distribution networks to serve both traditional food manufacturers and the growing plant-based protein sector. Their technological capabilities in functional flour modification give them an edge in meeting diverse application requirements across bakery, snacks, and meat alternatives.

The market has witnessed strategic consolidation in recent years, with notable transactions including SunOpta's acquisition of plant-based ingredient specialists and AGT Food & Ingredients' expansion into value-added pulse processing. These moves reflect the industry's response to rising global demand, projected to grow at 5.2% CAGR through 2032.

Regional players like Bean Growers Australia and Best Cooking Pulses maintain strong positions in their domestic markets while increasingly targeting export opportunities. Their success stems from quality-focused production standards and ability to cater to clean-label preferences.

Innovation remains critical for market differentiation. Companies are investing in:

• Specialized milling technologies to enhance functional properties
• Organic and non-GMO product lines
• Custom blends for specific food applications
• Sustainability initiatives across the supply chain

List of Key Chickpea Powder Companies Profiled

• Parakh Agro Industries (India)

• Ingredion (U.S.)

• Anchor Ingredients (U.S.)

• The Scoular Company (U.S.)

• SunOpta (Canada)

• Blue Ribbon (Canada)

• Batory Foods (U.S.)

• Diefenbaker Spice & Pulse (Canada)

• Great Western Grain (Canada)

• Best Cooking Pulses (Canada)

• Scoular (U.S.)

• Bean Growers Australia (Australia)

• ADM (U.S.)

• Archer Daniels Midland (U.S.)

• AGT Food And Ingredients (Canada)

CHICKPEA POWDERS MARKET TRENDS

Rising Demand for Plant-Based Protein to Drive Market Growth

The global shift toward plant-based nutrition has significantly boosted the chickpea powder market, as consumers increasingly seek protein-rich alternatives to animal-derived products. Chickpea powder, containing approximately 20-25% protein by weight, serves as a versatile ingredient in meat substitutes, protein bars, and fortified snacks. The plant-based protein market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 14% through 2030, creating a strong tailwind for chickpea-derived products. Furthermore, its gluten-free properties make it particularly attractive to health-conscious consumers and those with dietary restrictions. Manufacturers are innovating with chickpea powder formulations to enhance texture and flavor profiles, addressing previous sensory limitations that hindered adoption.

Other Trends

Clean Label Movement

The proliferation of clean label products has accelerated chickpea powder adoption as food manufacturers reformulate products with recognizable ingredients. Unlike synthetic additives or highly processed flours, chickpea powder meets consumer demands for minimal processing and natural nutrient density. Nearly 60% of global consumers now prioritize clean label claims when purchasing packaged foods. This trend aligns perfectly with chickpea powder's inherent advantages - a single-ingredient product rich in fiber, protein, and micronutrients without artificial additives. The bakery sector has particularly embraced chickpea flour as a clean label solution for gluten-free breads and pastries.

Expansion in Functional Food Applications

Chickpea powder is emerging as a key functional ingredient in value-added food products beyond traditional ethnic cuisines. Food scientists are leveraging its high resistant starch content (about 30-40% of total carbohydrates) to develop gut-health promoting products. The global prebiotics market, where chickpea flour shows strong potential, is expected to reach $11 billion by 2032. Additionally, the powder's optimal amino acid profile, particularly its lysine content which complements cereal grains, makes it valuable for nutritional fortification. Recent product launches featuring chickpea powder include protein-enriched pasta, extruded snacks with reduced fat absorption, and dairy-free beverages with improved mouthfeel.

Sustainability Advantages Reshaping Supply Chains

As sustainability becomes a core purchasing criterion, chickpea cultivation's environmental benefits are driving strategic sourcing decisions. Chickpeas require significantly less water than many other protein crops - approximately 1,000 liters per kilogram compared to 15,000 liters for beef protein. They also contribute to soil nitrogen fixation, reducing fertilizer needs by 25-30% in rotation systems. These ecological advantages have prompted major food companies to reformulate products with chickpea ingredients as part of their sustainability commitments. Simultaneously, improved agricultural practices in key producing regions like India, Australia, and Canada are enhancing yield stability, with some areas achieving 20-25% productivity gains through optimized irrigation and disease-resistant varieties. This supply chain maturation ensures more consistent quality for industrial users while supporting farm-level economic sustainability.

Regional Analysis: Chickpea Powders Market

North America
The North American chickpea powder market is experiencing robust growth due to increasing demand for plant-based protein alternatives, driven by rising health consciousness and dietary shifts toward vegetarian and vegan lifestyles. The region dominates the gluten-free flour segment, with chickpea flour emerging as a popular choice in health-conscious households. Major food manufacturers are reformulating products to incorporate chickpea powder as a protein fortifier, particularly in snack bars and ready-to-eat meals. However, higher production costs compared to conventional flours and limited domestic chickpea cultivation pose supply chain challenges, with the U.S. importing nearly 60% of its chickpea demand from Canada and Mexico.

Europe
Europe represents a high-value market, where organic and non-GMO chickpea powders command premium pricing, especially in Germany and the U.K. The EU’s Farm-to-Fork Strategy has accelerated demand for sustainable protein sources, with chickpea flour increasingly used in plant-based meat alternatives and artisanal baking. Despite strong growth in Western Europe, price sensitivity in Southern and Eastern European markets restricts adoption. The region’s stringent food safety regulations, including allergen labeling for legumes, add compliance costs for suppliers but simultaneously enhance consumer trust in product quality.

Asia-Pacific
As the largest producer and consumer of chickpea powder globally, the Asia-Pacific region—spearheaded by India—accounts for over 45% of global volume consumption. Traditional culinary applications remain dominant, but urbanization and western dietary influences are expanding usage in packaged foods. While price competition among local mills is intense, multinational companies struggle with fragmented supply chains and inconsistent raw material quality. Australia stands out as a key exporter, leveraging advanced processing technologies to cater to premium international markets. China’s nascent demand for chickpea-based products presents untapped opportunities, though cultural preferences for soy-based ingredients currently limit market penetration.

South America
The market here remains underdeveloped but shows potential, particularly in Brazil and Argentina where chickpea cultivation is expanding to meet export demand. Domestic consumption is hindered by low consumer awareness and competition from cheaper staple flours like cassava and corn. Nevertheless, rising disposable incomes and imitation of North American health trends among urban populations are driving gradual adoption, especially in functional beverages and gluten-free bakery products. Infrastructure gaps in rural areas and volatile agricultural policies continue to challenge consistent supply.

Middle East & Africa
Chickpea powder has deep cultural roots in Middle Eastern cuisine, sustaining steady demand across countries like Turkey and the UAE. Israel leads in innovation, with startups incorporating chickpea protein into alternative dairy products. Africa’s market is nascent but growing, as climate-resilient chickpea varieties gain traction among smallholder farmers in drought-prone regions. However, political instability and underdeveloped food processing infrastructure in parts of Africa restrict market scalability, while the Gulf Cooperation Council countries rely heavily on imports due to limited arable land.

Report Scope

This market research report offers a holistic overview of global and regional markets for the forecast period 2025–2032. It presents accurate and actionable insights based on a blend of primary and secondary research.

Key Coverage Areas:

• ✅ Market Overview

  • Global and regional market size (historical & forecast)

  • Growth trends and value/volume projections

• ✅ Segmentation Analysis

  • By product type or category

  • By application or usage area

  • By end-user industry

  • By distribution channel (if applicable)

• ✅ Regional Insights

  • North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa

  • Country-level data for key markets

• ✅ Competitive Landscape

  • Company profiles and market share analysis

  • Key strategies: M&A, partnerships, expansions

  • Product portfolio and pricing strategies

• ✅ Technology & Innovation

  • Emerging technologies and R&D trends

  • Automation, digitalization, sustainability initiatives

  • Impact of AI, IoT, or other disruptors (where applicable)

• ✅ Market Dynamics

  • Key drivers supporting market growth

  • Restraints and potential risk factors

  • Supply chain trends and challenges

• ✅ Opportunities & Recommendations

  • High-growth segments

  • Investment hotspots

  • Strategic suggestions for stakeholders

• ✅ Stakeholder Insights

  • Target audience includes manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, investors, regulators, and policymakers

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

What is the current market size of Global Chickpea Powders Market?

-> Global chickpea powders market was valued at USD 2109 million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 2981 million by 2032.

Which key companies operate in Global Chickpea Powders Market?

-> Key players include Parakh Agro Industries, Ingredion, Anchor Ingredients, The Scoular Company, SunOpta, Blue Ribbon, ADM, and AGT Food And Ingredients, among others.

What are the key growth drivers?

-> Key growth drivers include rising health consciousness, plant-based diet trends, increasing applications in food processing, and growing demand for gluten-free alternatives.

Which region dominates the market?

-> Asia-Pacific is the dominant market due to traditional usage, while North America shows fastest growth with increasing vegan population.

What are the emerging trends?

-> Emerging trends include organic chickpea powder variants, fortified nutritional products, and expansion into new food applications.