United States Chickpeas Market Overview, 2030

Chickpeas hold a strong place in the U.S. agricultural economy, particularly as demand for protein-rich, plant-based foods grows. The United States consistently ranks among the top five global chickpea producers, with Kabuli being the primary variety grown. Desi chickpeas are rarely cultivated domestically and are mostly imported for niche ethnic markets. Major production zones include Washington, Idaho, Montana, and North Dakota regions with suitable climatic conditions and dryland farming systems. Chickpeas are recognized as a specialty crop under USDA programs, giving access to federal support and research grants. In U.S. food culture, chickpeas are strongly associated with vegan, gluten-free, and health-forward diets. Hummus, salads, soups, chickpea pasta, and roasted snacks are top consumption formats. Chickpeas are used by food companies targeting high-protein, clean-label, and allergen-friendly product lines. With rising demand, U.S. imports chickpeas especially Desi and smaller Kabuli from Mexico, Canada, and Turkey to meet processing and ethnic food needs. Chickpeas also play a key role in sustainable agriculture due to their ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen into the soil, enhancing rotation systems in wheat and lentil farms. The U.S. also exports chickpeas to Canada, Spain, Italy, and Pakistan. Most exports are Kabuli types larger than 8mm. Certification is crucial for retail and export value USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, and GFSI-recognized schemes like SQF and BRCGS are widely used. FDA labeling compliance is required for packaged chickpea food products.

According to the research report ""United States Chickpeas Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the United States Chickpeas market is anticipated to grow at more than 3.15% CAGR from 2025 to 2030. The U.S. chickpeas market operates in cycles driven by global demand, grower prices, and weather patterns. For the 2024–25 planting season, chickpea acreage reached approximately 330,000 acres, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). This is a recovery from previous lows but still below the 2017 peak when planted area crossed 600,000 acres. That decline followed a sharp drop in price realization and excess supply. Current average grower prices hover around USD 0.25–0.35 per pound for Kabuli chickpeas, based on USDA AMS Pulse Crop Reports. Despite modest gains in 2023–24, prices remain below earlier highs, limiting farmer incentive. Production volumes in recent years range between 250,000 to 300,000 metric tons annually. Top-producing states include Washington and North Dakota, followed by Idaho and Montana. In these regions, chickpeas are part of rotational farming systems alongside wheat, lentils, and canola. Processors prefer uniform, larger-sized Kabuli types for value-added food production and exports. Rising demand in U.S. food processing especially for chickpea-based protein powders, gluten-free flours, and snacks is keeping the ingredient in demand. This demand is not met entirely by domestic supply, leading to imports from Canada, Turkey, and Mexico. Notable U.S. chickpea companies include Palouse Brand (Idaho), Bush Brothers & Co. (Tennessee), AGT Foods USA (North Dakota), Banza (New York), and Chip Chickpeas (California). In Montana, investments have been made in pulse crop processing and protein extraction units, especially around Great Falls. USDA ERS and AMS publish monthly price trends and market reports that guide planting decisions and forward contracts. Retail prices for Kabuli chickpeas in 2024 remain stable between USD 1.50–2.00 per pound in grocery stores.

The U.S. chickpeas market is overwhelmingly dominated by Kabuli chickpeas, which account for nearly all domestic production. Kabuli types have a larger, cream-colored seed typically ≥8 mm in diameter and are preferred by food processors, retailers, and export buyers. Desi chickpeas, which are smaller and darker with a thicker seed coat, are not commercially cultivated in the U.S. and are imported in limited quantities mainly from India and Australia to serve niche ethnic markets. Kabuli chickpeas grown in the U.S. are primarily used in canned foods, ready-to-eat (RTE) meals, hummus, and frozen vegetarian entrées. Food companies prefer Kabuli for its soft texture, light color, and ability to maintain shape after cooking. Within Kabuli, size grading plays a key role in market value. Seeds above 9mm are exported, especially to Europe and South Asia, while 8mm and below are used in domestic food processing. Uniform sizing supports consistency in flavor and texture, making it crucial for hummus and ready-to-cook meal brands. Seed innovation has helped optimize Kabuli cultivation in arid U.S. climates. Varieties like CDC Frontier, Sierra, and Billy Bean have gained popularity among growers for their yield stability and seed size. Research from USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and university breeding programs in Washington and Idaho is focused on developing drought-tolerant, disease-resistant, and early maturing Kabuli lines. These advancements help farmers cope with climate change, limited irrigation access, and short growing windows. Desi chickpeas are present in select South Asian grocery chains across the U.S., sold mainly as whole dried or split forms (chana dal). However, they make up less than 1% of overall chickpea consumption in the country.

In the U.S. chickpeas market, canned chickpeas are the leading form consumed, dominating both retail and foodservice sectors. Brands like Bush’s Best, Goya, S&W, and Eden Foods supply canned Kabuli chickpeas for use in salads, hummus, soups, and ready-to-eat meals. These products are shelf-stable, require no soaking, and serve the growing demand for convenient, healthy food formats. The majority of these canned units are sold through large retailers such as Walmart, Kroger, Costco, and Whole Foods. Whole dried chickpeas are available mainly through bulk grocery aisles, co-ops, and organic/natural food stores. These are purchased by home cooks and health-conscious consumers who prefer slow-cooking pulses. Retailers like Thrive Market, Sprouts Farmers Market, and Amazon offer both conventional and organic whole chickpeas. Chickpeas sold in this form often carry certifications such as USDA Organic, Non-GMO Project Verified, or Kosher to appeal to clean-label shoppers. Chickpea flour, also called gram flour or besan, is a growing market segment. U.S. companies like Banza, Hippeas, and Biena Snacks use chickpea flour in gluten-free chips, crackers, pasta, and baking mixes. Montana and Idaho-based processors handle flour milling, with ingredients also supplied to foodservice and packaged goods manufacturers. Retail flour packs from Bob’s Red Mill, Arrowhead Mills, and Anthony’s Goods are found in stores and online platforms. Split chickpeas (chana dal) are imported mostly from India and Australia and sold in specialty South Asian markets for use in Indian cuisine. These do not originate from U.S. farms. The form is preferred by Indian and Pakistani households for traditional recipes like dals and curries.
The United States chickpeas market is heavily dominated by the food and beverage (F&B) sector, which accounts for nearly 85–90% of total usage. Chickpeas are used widely in salads, hummus, soups, grain bowls, frozen meals, and packaged snacks. The U.S. hummus market alone is dominating, with leading brands such as Sabra, Tribe, and Hope Foods offering classic and flavored variants through grocery retail and foodservice. Chickpea-based pasta has become another high-growth category, led by brands like Banza and Tolerant, offering gluten-free, high-protein options to health-conscious consumers. In addition, companies such as ADM, Puris, and Ingredion have entered the chickpea protein isolate space, using dry and wet fractionation technologies to supply ingredients for plant-based dairy, meat, and protein powder industries. Chickpea flours and fibers are being incorporated into clean-label bakery and snack applications, as manufacturers respond to rising consumer demand for grain-free, allergen-free alternatives. Although minimal, the animal feed segment is developing slowly. Chickpea meal, especially roasted or dehulled forms, has shown promising digestibility results in poultry and swine rations. Studies from the University of Idaho and Montana State University indicate that chickpeas can partially replace soybean meal in broiler and layer diets. Chickpea straw and hulls are also used in cattle bedding and as low-cost roughage in beef and dairy farming, especially in Northern Plains states. Chickpeas are further being tested in niche food categories like plant-based cheese, yogurt, and egg alternatives. Chickpea starch is used for thickening and texture in sauces and dressings.

In the B2B segment, chickpeas are sourced directly by processors, canning firms, snack manufacturers, and flour mills through contracts with growers or grower cooperatives, particularly in Idaho, Montana, and Washington. These cooperatives handle primary cleaning, grading, and bulk sales. Major buyers include companies like Bush Brothers, Goya Foods, Banza, and Bob’s Red Mill, who require consistent Kabuli varieties in specific sizes (typically 8mm and above). The USDA Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) provides daily price updates and market trends through its Pulse Market News platform, which serves as a trade reference for bulk transactions. On the B2C front, chickpeas are widely available in both conventional and organic formats across mainstream grocery chains like Walmart, Whole Foods, Kroger, Safeway, and Target. Retail products include canned chickpeas, dried whole chickpeas in bulk bins, and pre-packaged flour and split forms. Canned chickpeas from brands such as Eden, S&W, and Goya dominate shelf space, while organic and specialty SKUs are distributed through Amazon, Thrive Market, and natural grocery stores. Flour-based products made from chickpeas are sold under brands like Anthony’s Goods, Jovial Foods, and Arrowhead Mills. Chickpea-based snack and pasta brands such as Hippeas, Biena, and Banza use direct-to-consumer (DTC) e-commerce platforms and health-focused retail stores for distribution. Some of these brands also bundle chickpea-based meals, chips, and nutrition bars as part of subscription models or clean-label meal kits. With increasing plant-based consumption trends, chickpeas have emerged as a central ingredient in high-protein, allergen-free offerings across retail and foodservice formats. Show more