United Kingdom Chickpeas Market Overview, 2030

In United Kingdom, Small-scale organic trials have been attempted in regions like Kent, Essex, and Suffolk by growers such as Hodmedod’s and farmers under regenerative programs, but national production remains negligible. The country is heavily import-reliant, sourcing chickpeas primarily from Mexico, India, Turkey, and Australia. Kabuli chickpeas dominate these imports, meeting growing domestic demand tied to health-conscious food trends. The UK has seen a sharp increase in chickpea consumption in recent years, driven by the popularity of veganism, plant-based diets, and Mediterranean cuisine. Dishes like hummus, chickpea salads, curries, and falafel have become regular features across homes, restaurants, and foodservice chains. Gen Z and millennial consumers, influenced by fitness trends, Meat-Free Mondays, and initiatives like Veganuary, continue to drive interest in chickpeas as a protein-rich meat alternative. Ready-to-eat, gluten-free, and high-protein products in UK supermarkets frequently list chickpeas as a key ingredient. Private-label brands across Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose, and Aldi have increased chickpea-based offerings. The National Health Service (NHS) and food educators also support pulse-based diets as part of healthy eating campaigns. Major certifications shaping sourcing and packaging include Red Tractor for UK-grown pulses, Soil Association for organic imports, BRCGS for food safety compliance, and SALSA for small supplier accreditation. Chickpeas now rank among the most consumed pulses in the UK after lentils and green peas. The trend has opened new opportunities for food entrepreneurs, especially in the vegan snack and ready-meal segments.

According to the research report, ""United Kingdom Chickpeas Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the United Kingdom Chickpeas market is anticipated to add to more than USD 10 Million by 2025–30. The United Kingdom does not report official acreage or production volume for chickpeas due to the crop’s unsuitability to its temperate climate, with rainfall and shorter sunlight hours hindering yields. However, since 2017, a few farms in southern England, particularly in Essex and Hertfordshire, have run pilot-scale chickpea cultivation programs under dry farming trials. Hodmedod’s, a Norfolk-based pulse processor, collaborated with such farms to test UK-grown Kabuli chickpeas, yet volumes remain experimental, accounting for less than 1% of domestic demand. As a result, the UK imports nearly all of its chickpeas, primarily through ports like Felixstowe and Southampton. The supply chain begins with bulk imports from Mexico, India, Turkey, and Australia, which are then cleaned, packaged, or processed by UK-based players such as Epicurium, Suma Wholefoods, East End Foods, and Natco Foods. The average CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) import price for chickpeas fluctuated between USD 840 to USD 1,030 per metric ton in 2023, depending on size and grade, with Kabuli commanding higher premiums. Post-Brexit customs regulations have increased import processing time, documentation, and compliance costs for EU-origin goods, pushing retailers to source more from non-EU origins like India and Turkey. Transporters and storage facilities in hubs like Birmingham and Manchester manage short-term warehousing and last-mile delivery to wholesalers, grocers, and food manufacturers. Packaging is done locally, with both bulk and retail formats distributed via chilled logistics. Shelf-ready packs, ready-to-eat meals, and canned chickpeas dominate retail. Chickpea flour is also milled domestically for ethnic and gluten-free applications. Leading distributors include Tropic International, TRS, and Wanis.

In the United Kingdom, the chickpea market is predominantly led by Kabuli chickpeas, which account for over 95% of the market share. Kabuli varieties are preferred for their light color, larger size, and softer texture after cooking, making them suitable for salads, hummus, soups, and Mediterranean or Levantine cuisines widely consumed across the UK. These are mainly imported from Mexico, Turkey, and Australia, and occasionally from India and Canada, depending on seasonal availability and pricing. Importers often prefer Mexican Kabuli chickpeas due to their consistent 8–10 mm size grading and creamy-white color, which meet foodservice and retail standards. On the other hand, Desi chickpeas hold a small market presence, primarily catering to the South Asian and Middle Eastern diaspora. These are rough-coated, smaller, and darker in color, requiring longer cooking time and often used to produce chana dal or besan (gram flour). Desi chickpeas are usually sourced from India, Pakistan, and Ethiopia, with Natco Foods, TRS, and East End Foods being key suppliers to the ethnic wholesale and retail segment. Desi chickpeas are less visible in mainstream British supermarkets but remain dominant in ethnic grocers and specialty food chains across cities like London, Birmingham, Leicester, and Bradford. Kabuli chickpeas are stocked by Tesco, Sainsbury’s, ASDA, Morrisons, and Waitrose, both in dried and canned forms, while Desi types are sold mostly in 1kg or bulk 5kg bags. Kabuli is also more prominent in processed foods such as hummus, chickpea snacks, and tinned ready meals. Local milling companies and food brands use Desi chickpeas mainly for flour-based products. While Kabuli chickpeas dominate foodservice and ready-to-eat applications, Desi chickpeas maintain stable demand in community-specific cooking and for traditional dishes like chole and dal.

The chickpea market in the United Kingdom is segmented by form into whole dried, canned (boiled), flour (besan), and split (chana dal), with canned chickpeas dominating mainstream consumption due to their convenience, availability, and usage across home cooking and foodservice sectors. UK supermarkets such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s, and Aldi offer multiple private label canned chickpeas, typically packed in brine or water in 400g tins, often sourced from Turkey or Italy. Canned chickpeas have wide usage in ready meals, hummus production, curries, salads, and soups, particularly among health-conscious and vegetarian consumers. Whole dried chickpeas, primarily Kabuli type, are sold in 500g to 2kg packs through mainstream retail and ethnic stores. These appeal to traditional households and bulk buyers, often soaking the chickpeas overnight before cooking. The flour form, known as gram flour or besan, is derived exclusively from Desi chickpeas and is widely consumed within Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi communities across the UK. It is used in making fritters (pakoras), batters, sweets, and gluten-free baking. Major brands like TRS, Natco, and East End Foods supply this flour in 1kg, 2kg, and larger sizes through Asian food outlets and ethnic grocery chains. Split chickpeas, or chana dal, also originate from Desi chickpeas and are a staple in South Asian cooking, mainly sold in ethnic stores and used in lentil-based dishes and ground flour blends. While canned chickpeas have widespread use across all demographics due to ease of use, flour and split forms cater specifically to regional culinary practices. Chickpeas in flour and split form are not commonly available in traditional supermarkets but have a strong footprint in areas with dense South Asian populations such as Leicester, Southall, and East London. UK-based companies import, rebrand, and distribute these chickpea forms under labels that meet local FSA standards for allergen declarations and packaging compliance.

In the United Kingdom, chickpeas are primarily consumed in the food and beverage sector, with wide usage across domestic kitchens, restaurant chains, and ready-meal producers. British consumers commonly use chickpeas in Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Indian dishes like hummus, falafel, chana masala, and chickpea salads. Hummus remains the most dominant processed chickpea product, widely manufactured by companies like Bakkavor and Me Too! Foods, and sold under brands like Sabra, Obela, and supermarket labels such as Tesco and Sainsbury’s. Chickpeas also feature in the growing number of vegan and plant-based meals marketed under brands like Wicked Kitchen, Quorn, and Linda McCartney. Retailers such as Marks & Spencer, Waitrose, and Asda offer chickpea-based dishes, frozen items, and soups. The foodservice sector, including Pret A Manger, Leon, and Wagamama, integrates chickpeas into salads, curries, and wraps. Chickpea flour is also used in gluten-free and ethnic food processing. In the animal feed sector, chickpeas are not widely used commercially in the UK, but Desi chickpeas and by-products such as husk and straw are occasionally included in feed for cattle, poultry, and horses, especially in niche organic or small-scale farm applications. However, the high cost and human consumption preference limit their regular feed use. Imports may include feed-grade chickpeas, but usage is minimal compared to wheat or soy-based feed. In the others category, chickpea-derived ingredients such as protein concentrates and starch are being explored in the UK’s functional food and nutraceutical industries. Startups and R&D organizations such as Nandi Proteins and Quorn’s innovation teams have tested chickpea isolates for vegan protein alternatives. There is also limited application in compostable packaging experiments and cosmetics due to chickpea starch and protein content. Regulatory approvals for all food and feed use fall under the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) and Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA).

In the United Kingdom, the distribution of chickpeas operates through both B2B and B2C channels. On the B2B side, importers, wholesalers, food manufacturers, and HoReCa suppliers form the bulk of trade. Major importers such as All India Foods, East End Foods, and TRS Wholesale bring chickpeas from countries like India, Turkey, and Canada and supply to commercial kitchens, ethnic food processors, and catering companies. Food processing companies like Princes Group and Premier Foods procure chickpeas for canned goods and ready-meal production, often contracting private-label manufacturing for supermarket chains. Industrial buyers also include plant-based meat startups and pulse-based flour producers who source chickpeas from pulse traders and commodity brokers. Catering service providers and restaurant supply chains like Bidfood and Brakes stock bulk quantities of dried, canned, and frozen chickpeas for restaurants and institutional kitchens. In the B2C segment, retail sales dominate through both offline and online channels. Supermarkets such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Morrisons, Asda, Aldi, and Lidl sell canned, dried, and organic chickpeas under both in-house brands and external names like Napolina, East End, and Epicure. Health food retailers like Holland & Barrett offer organic, whole, and flour-based chickpea products. E-commerce platforms such as Amazon UK, Ocado, and online ethnic grocers like Spices of India and Red Rickshaw have broadened access, especially for Desi chickpeas. Sales promotions, recipe campaigns, and private-label visibility contribute to seasonal demand peaks around Ramadan, Diwali, and vegan/vegetarian events. Specialty stores, Indian/Asian supermarkets, and farm shops also contribute significantly to B2C sales. Packaging formats vary from 400g tins to 5kg bags, targeting varied consumer segments. Local farm producers and zero-waste stores in areas like Bristol, London, and Brighton have introduced refill models for dried chickpeas, especially targeting sustainable shoppers. Show more