Russia Chickpeas Market Overview, 2030

Russia has rapidly expanded its chickpea production over the last eight years, transforming from a marginal grower to one of the leading producers in Eastern Europe. Chickpeas, particularly the Kabuli variety, thrive in Russia’s southern regions such as Stavropol, Rostov, Volgograd, Saratov, and Orenburg, where dryland farming and steppe conditions suit legume cultivation. The crop is gaining popularity due to its drought resistance and low input cost, making it attractive to farmers switching from more water-intensive crops. Since 2014, the Russian government has promoted chickpeas as part of national food security and import substitution programs, with initiatives such as the “Strategy for Leguminous Crops 2030” aiming to reduce dependence on imported pulses. Chickpeas are used in local cuisines, particularly in Dagestan and among Central Asian communities, while demand is also growing in urban areas due to increasing interest in vegetarian, vegan, and health-focused diets. The expansion is also driven by global demand Russia now exports chickpeas to Turkey, India, the UAE, and Pakistan, with competitive pricing compared to Canadian and Turkish chickpeas. Although domestic consumption remains modest, food processors and niche brands are promoting chickpeas in ready-to-eat foods, snacks, and hummus. Russian Kabuli chickpeas, often between 6–8 mm in size, are favored in export markets for their consistent quality and affordability. Local breeding programs under the All-Russian Research Institute of Legumes and Groat Crops focus on improving drought tolerance and seed uniformity. Chickpeas are also promoted under Russia’s GOST quality certification, along with HACCP compliance and oversight by Rosselkhoznadzor for export phytosanitary requirements.

According to the research report ""Russia Chickpeas Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the Russia’ Chickpeas market is anticipated to grow at more than 2.25% CAGR from 2025 to 2030. Russia’s chickpea cultivation area has grown significantly since 2016, crossing over 200,000 hectares by 2022, led by southern oblasts such as Saratov, Volgograd, and Stavropol Krai. The average yield remains between 1.2 to 1.5 tonnes per hectare, though modern agronomic practices and use of localized seeds developed by Russian research institutes are helping improve productivity. The Ministry of Agriculture offers financial subsidies and seed support under Russia’s “State Program for Agriculture Development,” which has helped marginal farmers adopt chickpea farming in place of water-intensive or low-profit cereals. Most chickpeas in Russia are cultivated through rainfed farming methods, which helps lower costs, and are harvested using standard grain harvesting equipment, making integration easy for wheat farmers. Prices for Russian chickpeas fluctuate between RUB 45 to RUB 75 per kilogram depending on size, grade, and export demand, with Kabuli chickpeas fetching higher rates compared to Desi types, which are produced in smaller quantities. Domestic prices are also impacted by Indian and Turkish demand cycles, as Russia exports both raw and cleaned chickpeas to these countries. Major domestic buyers include food manufacturers producing roasted snacks, instant meals, and flour-based products. The chickpea supply chain remains fragmented, with local aggregators sourcing from farmers and bulk buyers from cities such as Moscow, Kazan, and Rostov forming B2B linkages. Railways and bulk trucking services form the core of domestic movement, while exports use Black Sea and Caspian Sea ports such as Novorossiysk and Astrakhan. Key exporters include companies such as Agroexport, Bionovatik, and RusAgro, which maintain facilities for grading, cleaning, and containerized shipments. Exporters follow Rosselkhoznadzor phytosanitary rules and require certification before shipping to countries like India, Egypt, or Pakistan.

Russia’s chickpea market is largely driven by Kabuli chickpeas, which account for over 90% of the country’s total production volume. Kabuli types are preferred in the domestic market due to their larger grain size, white-cream color, and suitability for roasting, flour, and ready-to-eat products. Russian Kabuli chickpeas typically fall within the 6mm to 8mm size range, with larger calibers commanding better prices in export markets like Turkey, Pakistan, and the UAE. The demand for Kabuli chickpeas in Russia has grown consistently, supported by snack manufacturers and flour millers, especially in the southern and Volga regions. The Kabuli segment is also dominant in Russian exports, with companies such as Agro-Alliance and Astarta-Kyiv focusing on this variety for EU and Middle Eastern markets. On the other hand, Desi chickpeas are produced in very limited quantities, often by niche growers or for trial purposes in regions with drier climates. The Desi type, with its darker, rougher coat and smaller size, is not preferred in mainstream Russian food processing but sees demand from Indian diaspora stores in major cities like Moscow and Saint Petersburg. Some Desi varieties are grown for crop rotation and soil nitrogen fixation benefits in select farms but are not a major commercial product. Research centers in Krasnodar and Saratov have developed drought-resistant Kabuli seeds that are replacing traditional pulses in steppe zones. Kabuli chickpeas also receive more support under regional subsidies due to their higher commercial potential. Imported Desi chickpeas are available in the ethnic retail segment, usually sourced from India or Iran, but these volumes remain small. Both types are non-GMO and meet Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) standards for moisture, purity, and pesticide levels.

In Russia, whole dried chickpeas make up the largest share of the market by form, with over 80% of the domestic production and imports being traded and consumed in this form. Whole chickpeas are widely used by food processing companies and wholesalers, especially in the southern and central regions, for roasting, boiling, and industrial ingredient applications. Kabuli chickpeas, which dominate Russian output, are typically harvested, dried, and sold to processors or exported without further value addition. Chickpea flour, also known as besan, holds a smaller but steadily growing share, mostly among ethnic food manufacturers, snack brands, and health-food producers. The majority of chickpea flour available in Russia is made from imported Desi chickpeas or broken Kabuli grains, and is used in gluten-free baked goods, batters, and health supplements. Flour milling is concentrated in regions like Rostov and Belgorod, where small- and medium-sized mills cater to both local and export markets. Canned chickpeas are available in most urban retail chains, led by brands like Bonduelle, Heinz, and Russian processors such as Kubanskoe Pole, with products typically packed in brine or tomato sauces. The canned segment is heavily dependent on imported raw chickpeas or contract farming, and it caters mostly to household buyers and institutional kitchens. Split chickpeas (Chana Dal), though uncommon in Russian traditional cuisine, are sold in small volumes in specialized Indian, Central Asian, and Middle Eastern grocery stores. These are primarily imported from India, Iran, or Kazakhstan and cater to diaspora populations. Industrial splitting is not widely practiced in Russia due to low Desi chickpea cultivation.

In Russia, chickpeas are mainly used in the food and beverage segment, which accounts for more than 90% of the total chickpea consumption volume. Domestic and imported chickpeas are used in soups, salads, fillings, and baked goods across regional cuisines and modern packaged food products. The highest usage is recorded in southern and southwestern regions, particularly in areas with higher Tatar, Dagestani, Chechen, and Central Asian populations, where chickpeas are a common part of the traditional diet. Industrial food processors and restaurant chains procure chickpeas for hummus, falafel, and vegetarian meal kits. The processed food industry, which includes snacks, dips, ready meals, and meal kits, is seeing growing demand for chickpeas due to consumer shifts toward plant-based protein sources. Companies such as EFKO, RusAgro, and Bonduelle Russia are engaging in pilot projects and joint ventures to develop chickpea-based convenience food lines for both retail and HoReCa segments. The animal feed application is limited, accounting for a marginal volume of broken chickpeas, lower-grade stock, or unsold harvest used in cattle and poultry feed mixes. This segment lacks formal processing and is often regionally confined to small-scale farms or feed mixers in Volgograd and Stavropol Krai. The Others segment includes use in cosmetic, pharmaceutical, and personal care products, particularly chickpea flour in face packs and masks by organic brands, and chickpea protein in supplement powders sold through fitness and wellness retail chains. However, this segment is highly niche and mostly dependent on imported raw materials processed by third-party contractors.

B2B buyers include food processing companies, HoReCa (hotels, restaurants, catering), bulk retailers, and institutional buyers such as school and hospital kitchens. Large-scale procurement is handled by companies like Metro Cash & Carry Russia, Magnit, and X5 Retail Group, which also act as intermediaries for private label packaging and supply to restaurant chains. These buyers import chickpeas directly from Argentina, Turkey, and India in bulk quantities via ports like Novorossiysk and St. Petersburg, with local distributors such as AgroYug, RusAgro, and Arivist handling inland logistics. Processed chickpeas, canned varieties, and chickpea flour are traded through contract manufacturing arrangements and white-label suppliers serving brands like Heinz Russia, Bonduelle, and local vegan/organic food producers. On the B2C front, retail supermarkets and hypermarkets such as Perekrestok, Lenta, Auchan Russia, and Globus stock a wide range of chickpea products dry Kabuli beans, canned chickpeas, besan (flour), and snack packs. Most of the consumer-packaged dry chickpeas are imported and sold under foreign brands or private Russian brands with imported origin. E-commerce platforms like Ozon, Wildberries, and Utkonos Online are seeing a rising share in chickpea sales, especially in urban regions like Moscow, St. Petersburg, and Yekaterinburg, driven by health-focused and vegetarian consumers. Direct-to-consumer organic brands like VkusVill and Ura! Market also sell chickpeas through both physical stores and online. In southern Russia, small grocers and wholesale bazaars supply bulk unpackaged chickpeas at lower prices, often sourced from regional farms or imports stored by local traders. Show more