South America Chickpea Market Outlook, 2030

The South America chickpea market is gradually gaining traction as changing dietary patterns, increasing awareness of plant-based nutrition, and evolving agricultural practices contribute to the demand for pulses across the region. Countries like Argentina, Brazil, and Chile are witnessing rising consumption of chickpeas due to their health benefits, including high protein and fiber content, and their compatibility with vegetarian and vegan diets, which are gaining popularity across urban centers.

Although chickpeas are not traditionally a staple food in much of South America, globalization of cuisines and the influence of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern food trends have led to greater consumer exposure to products like hummus, falafel, and chickpea-based snacks. Argentina stands out as the largest producer and exporter of chickpeas in South America, leveraging its vast agricultural land, favorable climate, and growing international demand, especially from Europe and the Middle East. Brazil, while not a major producer, is emerging as a key consumer due to its large population and increasing health-conscious middle class. In terms of innovation, local agribusinesses and seed companies are investing in drought-resistant chickpea varieties to optimize production, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions. Research initiatives in countries like Argentina and Peru are also focused on improving yield efficiency, disease resistance, and soil sustainability to enhance the crop’s economic viability. Additionally, advancements in food processing are paving the way for chickpea-based value-added products such as gluten-free flour, protein powders, and ready-to-eat foods, which are gaining traction among urban populations and export buyers alike.

According to the research report "South America Chickpea Market Outlook, 2030,", the South America Chickpea market is anticipated to grow at more than 3.99% CAGR from 2025 to 2030. The increasing global demand for chickpeas, especially in health-conscious and plant-based diets, which is influencing South American countries to ramp up production both for domestic consumption and export. Argentina, in particular, has emerged as a regional leader in chickpea cultivation, accounting for the largest share of production in South America. The country has capitalized on its favorable climate, vast arable land, and access to international markets, exporting significant volumes to Europe, Asia, and North Africa.

According to the National Institute of Agricultural Technology (INTA), Argentina's chickpea exports have grown considerably in the past decade, supported by improved seed varieties and farming techniques. Meanwhile, Brazil’s rising middle class and growing health awareness are contributing to increased consumption of chickpea-based foods such as hummus, soups, salads, and snacks. In urban centers like São Paulo and Buenos Aires, health food retailers and supermarkets are increasingly stocking chickpea products, indicating a shift in consumer preferences toward nutritious and versatile legumes. Farmers across parts of Argentina, Chile, and Peru are adopting modern agronomic practices, including precision farming, mechanized harvesting, and improved irrigation systems to enhance chickpea yields and efficiency. Research institutions and agritech companies are developing climate-resilient chickpea strains that can withstand droughts and diseases such as Ascochyta blight and Fusarium wilt common challenges in chickpea cultivation. For instance, breeding programs supported by international organizations are helping South American farmers access improved seed varieties that offer higher productivity and quality.

Market Drivers

• Expansion of Chickpea Cultivation and Export Opportunities:One of the primary drivers of the chickpea market in South America is the gradual expansion of domestic cultivation, particularly in Argentina and Mexico (geopolitically part of Latin America but often linked with North American trade). Argentina is emerging as a key player in chickpea production due to favorable agro-climatic conditions in provinces like Córdoba and Salta. This expansion is aimed at satisfying both growing domestic consumption and rising export demand from countries like India, Turkey, and Pakistan. Government and private-sector support for diversifying crop portfolios and increasing pulse exports is encouraging farmers to invest in chickpea farming as a profitable rotation crop that also improves soil fertility.
• Rising Demand for Plant-Based Proteins and Functional Foods: Across South America, there is a growing trend toward healthier eating and plant-based nutrition, especially in urban areas of Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Argentina. Chickpeas are gaining popularity as a key ingredient in plant-based diets due to their high protein, fiber, and micronutrient content. Consumers are increasingly seeking alternatives to red meat and processed foods, which has created space for chickpea-based meals like hummus, vegan burgers, and gluten-free pasta. This consumer shift is driving demand in both retail and food service sectors, leading to increased imports and localized production of value-added chickpea products.

Market Challenges

• Limited Agricultural Knowledge and Infrastructure for Chickpea Farming: Despite increasing interest, chickpea production is still in its early stages in many South American countries. One of the key challenges is the lack of widespread technical knowledge, agronomic research, and region-specific seed varieties suited for local soils and climates. In countries like Brazil and Peru, chickpeas are not traditional crops, and farmers face challenges related to crop management, pest control, irrigation, and mechanization. Additionally, limited access to high-quality seeds and insufficient extension services hinder productivity and discourage adoption among small and mid-sized farmers.
• Trade Barriers and Market Access Issues: Chickpea exports from South America can face trade-related hurdles, including competition from established global exporters like India, Australia, and Canada. Tariff barriers, import quotas, and phytosanitary regulations in target markets can restrict access and delay shipments. Furthermore, the lack of established export infrastructure, such as proper storage facilities and efficient port logistics, limits the ability of smaller producers to scale up. Currency fluctuations and inconsistent international demand can also lead to pricing challenges, affecting both producers and exporters across the region.

Market Trends

• Growing Interest in Organic and Sustainable Agriculture: There is a rising awareness of organic and environmentally friendly farming practices across parts of South America, particularly in Argentina, Chile, and Brazil. As global demand for organic and sustainably grown pulses increases, South American chickpea producers are exploring organic certifications to meet export standards and cater to niche markets in Europe and North America. These trends are being supported by NGOs, cooperatives, and public-private partnerships aiming to enhance soil health, biodiversity, and long-term farm profitability. Organic chickpeas are also gaining traction among health-conscious domestic consumers in urban areas.
• Innovation in Value-Added Chickpea Products:Food manufacturers in South America are increasingly incorporating chickpeas into a variety of processed and packaged foods. The trend includes the development of chickpea snacks, flour for gluten-free baking, chickpea-based pasta, and plant-based protein blends. Startups and health food brands are capitalizing on the clean-label and functional food movement to attract middle- and upper-income consumers. This product innovation, combined with expanding distribution channels such as supermarkets and e-commerce platforms, is helping to elevate the profile of chickpeas in the region and create new market opportunities beyond traditional consumption.

Kabuli chickpeas are leading in the South America chickpea industry due to their high market demand for export and domestic consumption, driven by their larger size, appealing appearance, and suitability for processed food applications.

Kabuli chickpeas dominate the South American chickpea industry primarily because of their strong appeal in both international and domestic markets, thanks to their larger grain size, pale cream color, and smooth texture, which make them highly desirable for culinary and commercial applications. These chickpeas are especially favored in high-value export markets such as Europe, North America, and the Middle East, where they are extensively used in hummus, salads, canned foods, and gourmet products. South American countries like Brazil and Argentina have responded to this demand by focusing their cultivation efforts on Kabuli varieties, which command higher prices in global trade compared to the smaller and darker Desi type.

The region’s climatic conditions, particularly in areas with semi-arid to temperate zones, are well-suited for Kabuli chickpea cultivation, allowing for optimal yield and quality. Moreover, local consumers in South America are increasingly incorporating Kabuli chickpeas into their diets as plant-based diets and functional foods gain popularity. These chickpeas are perceived as premium products due to their aesthetic quality and mild flavor, making them attractive for health-conscious consumers and the food processing industry alike. The processed food sector is capitalizing on this trend by producing chickpea-based snacks, flours, and convenience meals, further increasing the demand for Kabuli types. Governments and agricultural research institutions in South America are also promoting the cultivation of Kabuli chickpeas through improved seed varieties, technical support, and training for farmers, which enhances productivity and resilience. Additionally, exporters prefer Kabuli chickpeas due to their longer shelf life, consistent quality, and uniformity in appearance, which simplifies grading and packaging for international shipments.

Chickpea flour (besan) is growing in the South America chickpea industry due to increasing demand for gluten-free, high-protein, and plant-based food products across health-conscious and alternative diet consumer segments.

The rising popularity of chickpea flour, commonly known as besan, in the South American chickpea industry is primarily driven by the region’s evolving dietary preferences and the increasing consumer demand for gluten-free, protein-rich, and plant-based alternatives. As awareness around celiac disease and gluten intolerance grows, more consumers are actively seeking gluten-free flours, and chickpea flour stands out as a nutritious and versatile substitute for wheat flour. It is naturally rich in protein, fiber, and essential nutrients, making it highly attractive to health-conscious individuals, vegans, and vegetarians.

Urban populations in South America, especially in Brazil, Argentina, and Chile, are at the forefront of this dietary shift, incorporating chickpea flour into various recipes ranging from breads and pancakes to snacks and bakery products. The trend is further supported by the regional food industry’s increased interest in functional ingredients that enhance both the nutritional profile and texture of processed foods. Chickpea flour’s ability to act as a thickener, binder, and egg substitute makes it especially useful in gluten-free baking and vegan product formulations. As South American food manufacturers continue to innovate, chickpea flour is being utilized in a growing range of value-added products such as chips, pasta, sauces, and plant-based meat alternatives. Additionally, local culinary traditions are beginning to integrate chickpea flour in fusion cuisines and modern dishes, appealing to both traditional and younger demographics. Agricultural producers are responding by dedicating a portion of chickpea harvests to milling operations, thus adding value to the raw product and opening up new markets.

The Animal Feed application type is growing in the South America chickpea industry due to the rising demand for cost-effective, high-protein, and sustainable feed ingredients to support the region's expanding livestock and poultry sectors.

The growing use of chickpeas in animal feed applications across South America is largely fueled by the region’s expanding livestock, poultry, and aquaculture industries, which require reliable, high-protein, and cost-efficient feed alternatives. As global and regional demand for meat, dairy, and eggs continues to climb, especially in countries like Brazil and Argentina, pressure has increased on feed manufacturers to find sustainable and nutrient-rich ingredients that can enhance animal health and productivity.

Chickpeas, particularly the ones that do not meet human consumption quality standards, are increasingly being diverted into the animal feed market due to their impressive nutritional profile, which includes high protein content, essential amino acids, digestible starches, and dietary fiber. This makes chickpeas a valuable supplement or substitute for conventional feed ingredients like soybean meal and corn, both of which face price volatility and supply chain constraints. Chickpeas also offer the advantage of being locally produced in many South American countries, thereby reducing dependency on imported feed materials and lowering feed production costs. Additionally, government-backed agricultural research bodies and animal nutrition institutes in South America are actively studying and promoting the benefits of chickpea-based feeds, providing validation and technical guidance to farmers and feed companies. With ongoing investment in pulse processing and improved distribution channels, chickpeas are becoming more accessible and affordable as a feed input. The combination of nutritional value, economic viability, and environmental benefits is positioning chickpeas as a strategic feed component in South America's animal husbandry sectors, driving steady growth in their application for animal feed and reinforcing their relevance beyond traditional food markets.

The B2B channel type is leading in the South America chickpea industry due to strong demand from food processors, exporters, and bulk buyers who require large, consistent supplies for manufacturing and international trade.

Unlike individual consumers, these entities require chickpeas in large volumes and consistent quality, making direct B2B transactions more efficient and economically viable. Major food manufacturers across South America are increasingly incorporating chickpeas into value-added products such as canned legumes, ready-to-eat meals, snacks, plant-based protein products, and gluten-free flour, which fuels high-volume purchases through B2B networks. The rapid growth of the plant-based food industry, especially in Brazil, Argentina, and Chile, has further accelerated the need for reliable chickpea suppliers who can meet industrial scale requirements.

In addition, many B2B transactions involve exporters and international buyers from Europe, the Middle East, and North America, where demand for South American chickpeas especially the Kabuli variety is surging due to its quality and competitive pricing. These global markets prefer to deal directly with producers or exporters, bypassing retail channels, which reinforces the dominance of B2B relationships. Another driving factor is the region’s agricultural cooperatives and producer associations, which serve as key intermediaries in B2B deals, aggregating produce from small and medium farmers and supplying it to large-scale buyers, both local and international. Infrastructure such as processing facilities, silos, cold chains, and export terminals is designed to cater to industrial-scale operations, further supporting B2B efficiency. Additionally, government and trade policies across South America often favor exports and bulk sales through institutional procurement, creating an enabling environment for B2B channels to flourish. Digital B2B marketplaces and platforms are also emerging, enhancing transparency, traceability, and transactional ease, thus streamlining supply chain logistics and boosting buyer confidence.

Brazil is leading in the South America chickpea industry due to its expanding agricultural infrastructure, favorable climate conditions, and growing domestic demand for plant-based protein sources.

Brazil’s leadership in the South American chickpea industry is rooted in its well-established and rapidly evolving agricultural infrastructure, which provides a solid foundation for the cultivation, processing, and distribution of chickpeas. The country’s vast arable land, coupled with a climate that supports winter and summer cropping, offers ideal conditions for chickpea farming, especially in states like Goiás, Mato Grosso, and Minas Gerais. These regions are increasingly experimenting with chickpea cultivation as part of crop rotation strategies to improve soil fertility and diversify income sources.

Brazil’s robust logistics network, which includes modern transportation systems, export ports, and processing units, also enhances the competitiveness of its chickpea production on both regional and international levels. Additionally, there has been a noticeable increase in domestic consumption of chickpeas driven by shifting dietary trends, with more Brazilians embracing vegetarian and vegan diets and seeking healthier, protein-rich alternatives to meat. This has created a strong internal market for chickpeas, particularly in urban areas where demand for ready-to-eat hummus, chickpea flour, and other value-added products is growing. Government support through agricultural research institutions like Embrapa has further contributed to Brazil’s success, by developing chickpea varieties that are better adapted to local conditions and resistant to pests and diseases. Moreover, Brazil's expanding export relationships with countries in Europe, the Middle East, and North America are creating new revenue streams for domestic producers. The favorable trade environment, along with government incentives for diversifying exports, is encouraging farmers to allocate more land to chickpea cultivation.