Global Chickpea Flour Market Size (2024 - 2030)

The Global Chickpea Flour Market achieved a valuation of USD 2.07 Billion and is set to attain a market size of USD 2.60 Million by the conclusion of 2030. Demonstrating a growth trajectory, the market is anticipated to expand at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 3.3% during the forecast period spanning from 2024 to 2030.

Overview of the Chickpea Flour Market

Chickpea flour, a finely ground powder extracted from garbanzo beans, holds a significant position within the legume family alongside lupin beans. Particularly renowned in the Indian subcontinent, this pulse flour plays a vital role as a key ingredient in the culinary traditions of South Asian nations including but not limited to Nepal, Pakistan, Myanmar, and India. With its nutritious blend of protein molecules, amino acids, and complex carbohydrates, chickpea flour stands out as a valuable component for the food industry. In contrast to lentils, chickpea flour boasts higher levels of oleic acid, linoleic acid, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, thereby contributing to the reduction of cholesterol levels and mitigation of severe heart conditions.

Noteworthy for its rich nutritional profile, chickpea flour serves as a potent source of essential vitamins and minerals, notably enhancing manganese and folate intake. The escalating consumption of chickpeas can be attributed to their superior nutritional value among contemporary plant-based protein sources. Acknowledged for its well-balanced amino acid composition, minimal anti-nutritional factors, substantial complex carbohydrates, and protein bioavailability, chickpea flour has emerged as a versatile ingredient within the food processing sector.

Additionally, chickpea flour is recognized for its potential health benefits, aiding in the management of various conditions such as diabetes, cancer, coronary ailments, and obesity, rendering it a popular choice for home remedies.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Chickpea Flour Market

The global COVID-19 pandemic profoundly impacted various sectors, including the food and beverage industry, significantly affecting the chickpea flour market. Originating in late December in the Hubei province of Wuhan, China, COVID-19 emerged as an infectious disease caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus two (SARS-CoV-2). Rapidly spreading across nearly 213 countries worldwide, the World Health Organization declared it a public health emergency on March 11, 2020.

Amidst the COVID-19 crisis, governmental bodies, research institutions, and numerous biotech and pharmaceutical enterprises intensified efforts towards innovative and rapid diagnostic technologies for the disease. Despite the initial surge in demand for food items during the pandemic, limitations in transportation facilities hindered the market growth, resulting in shortages of essential commodities.

Market Drivers:

The escalating demand for flour within bakery and confectionery sectors propels market expansion.

Chickpea flour, with its nutty flavor and advantageous properties such as low glycemic index and gluten-free composition, has positioned itself as a preferred choice among legume crops. This has facilitated its integration into the continually evolving confectionery and bakery market. While Germany and various European nations currently dominate as key consumers of confectionery products, a shift is anticipated towards Asia emerging as a significant market, thereby bolstering the chickpea flour sector.

Increasing awareness regarding the health benefits associated with flour consumption drives market growth.

Chickpeas, being reservoirs of essential nutrients including Vitamin C, iron, magnesium, calcium, and oleic acid, offer numerous health advantages such as aiding heart health, alleviating chronic nerve pain, exhibiting anticancer properties, promoting better skin, managing blood sugar, and controlling LDL cholesterol levels. Consequently, rising health consciousness among individuals propels a greater inclination towards increased chickpea consumption. Concurrently, with the advancement of modernization and industrialization, the network of retail outlets continues to strengthen globally.

Market Restraints:

Stringent regulations imposed by governmental bodies on the food product market impede market growth.

In the pursuit of a more advanced and modern world, human activities have inadvertently compromised environmental safety. Despite discourse on climate change and pollution, concrete steps to mitigate these issues have been lacking. Consequently, the consistent rise in pollution levels and climate change disrupts natural seasonal patterns. Moreover, escalating environmental temperatures contribute to severe floods and adversely impact crop yields. The quality of seeds, particularly concerning germination rates, live seeds per pound, and the prevalence of ascochyta blight, requires meticulous assessment. Notably, nearly 60-70% of chickpea crop fields in the U.S. were affected in 2019 due to various challenges and deficiencies.

Chickpea Flour Market - By Application:

• Dairy products
• Animal feeds
• Food preparation (confectionery and bakery)
• Cosmetics
• others.

In terms of application, the predominant sector in 2022 was the food industry segment. This growth can be attributed to the extensive utilization of chickpea flour in food preparation, particularly in the creation of confectionery and bakery items. Chickpea flour has emerged as a viable alternative for various functions of wheat flour in baking. Its subtle nutty flavor has found its way into traditional Indian cuisines such as fritters, samosas, and a variety of special desserts.

Additionally, gram flour (chickpea) is recognized as a natural thickening agent in curries. Conversely, it plays a crucial role in numerous homemade beauty remedies aimed at addressing dark complexion issues. However, despite its applications in the beauty sector, it continues to trail behind its use in food applications. Consequently, the food industry segment is projected to witness the fastest growth with a CAGR of 4.8% during the forecast period of 2023-2028.

Chickpea Flour Market - By Distribution Channels:

• Supermarket and Hypermarket
• Online store
• Specialty store
• Others

Regarding distribution channels, the offline platform segment dominated the market share in 2022. This rise is attributed to the numerous advantages offered by offline retail outlets, including fostering personal interaction between consumers and businesses. Consequently, consumers tend to prefer shopping on offline platforms. Moreover, these outlets allow customers to physically interact with products before purchase, enabling them to identify any hidden defects. Furthermore, the immediate purchase and sales support services of offline retail outlets attract consumers to them.

Furthermore, in an effort to tap into previously untapped markets, modern stores are making inroads into rural areas. However, the online segment is anticipated to witness the highest growth rate, with a CAGR of 5.0% during the forecast period of 2023-2028. This growth can be attributed to factors such as digitalization, a rapid increase in smartphone users, and easy internet access even in rural regions. Online platforms operate 24/7 without time constraints and are operationally cost-effective. Additionally, they require relatively lower initial capital during setup.

Chickpea Flour Market - By Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• Latin America
• The Middle East
• Africa

From a geographical perspective, Asia-Pacific held the largest market share, accounting for 38% of the overall market in 2022. This growth is driven by factors such as the presence of key countries like India, the largest producer and consumer of chickpeas. India alone produces nearly 8 million tons of chickpeas annually, representing approximately 68-70% of the global production. Additionally, Australia, as the second-largest producer, holds over 10% of the global chickpea flour market share. Furthermore, chickpea flour holds a special place in the confectionery and bakery sectors of South Asian countries such as India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, among others.

Moreover, Asia-Pacific is poised to offer lucrative growth opportunities during the forecast period of 2023-2028. This growth is driven by the increasing demand for confectionery and bakery products, fueled by the rising disposable incomes of individuals. Additionally, with rapid modernization, the improving living standards are making people more aware of the health benefits of such ingredients.

Chickpea Flour Market Share by Company:

1. The Scoular Company
2. AGT Food and Ingredients
3. Archer Daniels Midland Co.
4. SunOpta
5. Anchor Ingredients
6. Parakh Agro Industries Ltd
7. EHL Limited
8. Batory Foods
9. Diefenbaker Spice & Pulse
10. Blue Ribbon
11. ADM
12. Great Western Grain
13. Best Cooking Pulses
14. Bean Growers Australia
15. CanMar Grain Products

The market exhibits a high degree of fragmentation. Key market players are implementing various strategies, such as strategic joint ventures, partnership agreements, product innovations, research & development initiatives, geographical expansions, and mergers & acquisitions, to strengthen their position in the industry.

Recent Developments in the Global Chickpea Flour Market:

Product Launch - In May 2022, Tata and Lyle acquired the Chickpea ingredient company Nutriati, known for its production of protein and flour. Their products, Artesa Chickpea Protein and Artesa Chickpea Flour, are prominently featured in leading non-dairy, plant-based meat, and gluten-free brands, primarily in North America.