Australia Chickpeas Market Overview, 2030

Australia is among the world’s top chickpea producers and exporters, contributing about 7–10% of global chickpea supply in strong harvest years, according to data from Pulse Australia and the FAO. Chickpea cultivation is concentrated in Queensland and New South Wales, followed by Victoria and South Australia. The crop is grown mainly as a winter crop, sown between April and June and harvested from September to December. Australian chickpeas are primarily export-driven, with key international buyers being India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, UAE, and Sri Lanka. Kabuli chickpeas dominate the output, prized for their large size, pale color, and clean appearance. These traits make Australian chickpeas highly suitable for premium markets in the Middle East and South Asia. The crop plays a role in sustainable agriculture practices, particularly in crop rotation systems with wheat and barley, helping to replenish soil nitrogen and reduce disease risks. Australian chickpeas are known for their low pesticide residues and adherence to stringent quality standards, which adds to their global competitiveness. Most of the chickpea trade is managed through bulk shipping channels from ports like Brisbane, Newcastle, and Port Adelaide. The country’s chickpea industry benefits from strong institutional support, including research, certifications, and quality monitoring from bodies like GRDC, Pulse Australia, and the Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre (AEGIC). With Australia focusing heavily on exports, fluctuations in international trade policies especially India’s tariff changes significantly affect grower prices and planting decisions. On the domestic front, chickpeas cater to niche vegetarian, vegan, and ethnic food markets, especially among South Asian and Middle Eastern immigrant communities in cities like Sydney and Melbourne. Certifications like HACCP Australia and AQIS ensure food safety compliance for both domestic sales and exports.

According to the research report ""Australia Chickpeas Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the Australia Chickpeas market is anticipated to grow at more than 4.20% CAGR from 2025 to 2030. According to ABARES (Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences), chickpea area under cultivation reached over 1 million hectares during peak years like 2016–17 but dropped to under 400,000 hectares during drought years such as 2019–20. In 2023–24, the planted area rebounded to approximately 580,000 hectares due to favorable soil moisture and better price realizations. Major growing zones include the Western Downs in Queensland and the central and northern regions of New South Wales. Farmgate prices for chickpeas in Australia are highly export-dependent. In 2023, Vitasoy expanded its line of plant-based beverages with chickpea protein-based drinks. The drinks were pitched as a dairy alternative, offering protein from chickpeas suitable for vegan and allergen-free diets. It launched toward the rising demand for plant-based proteins in beverages in Australia, for which the company has long seen a growing vegan or flexitarian consumer base take up more plant-based alternatives to traditional dairy drinks. The supply chain begins with farm-level bulk handling, followed by cleaning, grading, and packaging by grain handling companies like GrainCorp, Viterra, and local cooperatives. These entities move chickpeas through inland rail and road corridors to export terminals in Brisbane, Newcastle, and Adelaide. Most chickpeas are exported as bulk cargo, though container shipments are used for premium buyers. Storage and drying facilities are modern and equipped to handle seasonal gluts. Australia has invested in traceability and supply chain transparency, including certifications like NATA, ISO 22000, and Plant Health Australia standards.

Australia is one of the top producers and exporters of Desi chickpeas in the world, with the Desi variety accounting for over 85–90% of the total chickpea cultivation. Kabuli chickpeas make up a smaller share, primarily grown in limited areas of South Australia and parts of Victoria, where soils and climatic conditions support larger-seeded, light-colored chickpeas. According to Pulse Australia and GRDC (Grains Research and Development Corporation), the country harvested over 700,000 metric tons of chickpeas in 2021–22, of which Desi chickpeas formed the bulk. Desi chickpeas are darker, smaller, and split into chana dal, mostly exported to India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. The variety is suited for dryland farming in northern New South Wales and southern Queensland due to its drought resistance and short growth cycle. Kabuli chickpeas, known for their larger size and creamy color, are cultivated to cater to markets in the Mediterranean, Middle East, and North Africa. Australia has been slowly expanding acreage of Kabuli chickpeas to meet rising demand in premium retail and processed food sectors. These are traded in 7mm, 8mm, and 9mm calibers, with 8mm being the most common export grade. The Kabuli variety fetches higher market prices often 20–30% more than Desi due to aesthetic appeal and use in hummus and salads. Australian chickpeas are typically classified and sold based on variety, moisture content, and grain size. Quality grading is regulated through Grain Trade Australia (GTA) standards. Research bodies like GRDC and CSIRO continue developing disease-resistant Desi and Kabuli chickpea strains to reduce losses from Ascochyta blight and improve export returns. Farmers select between Desi and Kabuli types based on rainfall outlook, export contracts, and price premiums.

Whole dried chickpeas dominate Australia’s chickpea market in both domestic use and export. These are mainly Desi variety and traded as raw, unprocessed pulses or as cleaned and graded lots packed for bulk exports. A significant portion is further processed into split chickpeas or chana dal through local millers, especially in Victoria and New South Wales. The demand for split chickpeas is mainly export-driven, catering to India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and the UAE. Australia’s split chickpea production fluctuates with crop output and is supported by processors like AGT Foods Australia, Wimmera Grain, and other region-based cleaning and splitting facilities. Kabuli chickpeas are sold mainly in whole form and exported as premium-grade whole pulses. Chickpea flour (besan) is another important format but holds a small share in domestic retail. It is primarily manufactured by millers such as Dhillons Group and Mount Elephant Foods and sold through major Australian retail chains like Woolworths and Coles. Chickpea flour is used in snacks, batter mixes, gluten-free products, and ethnic recipes. Canned chickpeas form the smallest segment but have gained traction among urban and health-conscious consumers. These are mainly Kabuli type, imported partially or locally canned by brands such as Annalisa, Edgell, and Global Organics. Canned chickpeas are sold in 400g to 800g tins and used in salads, soups, and ready meals. Australia's canned chickpea consumption rose during COVID-19 due to longer shelf life and cooking ease. Export of processed forms like canned or flour-based chickpeas is limited due to cost and logistics, with most processors focusing on domestic markets. Whole and split chickpeas dominate bulk exports, while flour and canned formats are more relevant to Australian grocery and foodservice sectors. Exporters prefer whole forms for lower handling cost and longer shelf stability, especially for sea freight.

Food applications lead chickpea consumption in Australia, covering both domestic use and exports. Domestically, chickpeas are part of ethnic cuisines, vegetarian meals, hummus, gluten-free baking, and health foods. Hummus demand has grown steadily in metro cities like Sydney and Melbourne, driven by Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and health-focused diets. Retail brands such as Obela, Black Swan, and Yalla dominate the hummus segment, sourcing Kabuli chickpeas domestically. Desi chickpeas are used mainly in South Asian cooking, with strong consumption among Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi communities. Chickpea flour (besan) finds use in snacks, fritters, and baking. The food processing sector sources chickpeas for flour blends, canned legumes, and ready meals. Key processors like Sandhurst Fine Foods and Riviana use Kabuli for canning and foodservice packs. In exports, food remains the top application. Desi chickpeas are exported raw or split for dals, while Kabuli is sold for retail packing, salad bars, and processed hummus or falafel. Feed application remains limited. Chickpeas are not a staple in animal feed due to better-value alternatives like lupins, faba beans, and field peas in Australia. However, in drought years or due to oversupply, downgraded or weather-damaged chickpeas are diverted to cattle and poultry feed as protein ingredients. This diversion is managed by grain traders and co-operatives. The Others segment includes chickpeas used in bio-packaging research, starch extraction, and cosmetic product formulations, though this remains niche. Australia also supports agri-research on chickpea-based protein isolates for plant-based meat. Organizations like CSIRO and GRDC back studies into chickpea-derived food innovation.

Australia’s chickpeas are distributed mainly through B2B channels, especially due to the dominance of exports. Bulk trading of both Desi and Kabuli varieties is handled by grain merchants, exporters, and bulk handlers. Major players include GrainCorp, Viterra, and Emerald Grain, who transport chickpeas from growers to domestic processors or port terminals. Exporters such as ETG Commodities, Australian Choice Exports, and AgPulse manage shipments of containerized and bulk Desi chickpeas to India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan, and Kabuli to the Middle East, Europe, and North Africa. These B2B networks rely on harvest auctions, forward contracts, and spot trading through platforms like Clear Grain Exchange. Locally, food processors and canning companies like Riviana and Sandhurst procure chickpeas directly from growers or via aggregators. The B2C segment remains smaller but active. Retail brands such as McKenzie's, Woolworths Select, Coles, and Obela offer packaged chickpeas, canned legumes, chickpea flour (besan), and prepared hummus products. Supermarkets dominate distribution, while Indian and Middle Eastern specialty stores cater to cultural demand. Online grocery platforms like Woolworths Online and Amazon Australia also list chickpea products. Farmers’ markets in states like New South Wales and Victoria sell small quantities of whole chickpeas or flour from independent producers, particularly organic lines. Direct farm-to-consumer sales are rare and usually regional. Chickpea-based snacks and ready meals are also seen in health food stores and vegan retail outlets. The B2C segment picks up pace seasonally around Ramadan, Diwali, and Christmas due to increased cultural consumption. However, over 90% of chickpeas produced in Australia still go through B2B channels. The distribution infrastructure includes container stuffing sites in major production zones like Narrabri and Moree, integrated with port facilities in Brisbane and Melbourne. Show more