Global consumption & imports/
Increase following two difficult years

India, the largest producer, importer and consumer of chickpeas, also exports a small volume every year, primarily to the Middle East, North Africa, Iran and Turkey. While consumption and imports tend to be of desi chickpeas, exports mostly consist of large calibre kabulis.  

Global consumption of large calibre kabulis was significantly affected by the pandemic and, as a result, Indian exports dwindled in 2020 and 2021. Demand from the traditional buyers in Europe and the MENA region dramatically reduced and the country recorded only 95,767 MT of chickpea exports last year.

Back to normal

The easing of COVID-19 restrictions  in early 2022 led to an increase in demand for chickpeas, largely due to the return to Ramadan festivities in Muslim countries. Indian chickpea exports started the calendar year on a good note and the country has exported 100 KMT of chickpea exports in the first five months of 2022, a huge increase compared to the 42,012 MT in the same period of 2021.

The increase compared to the five-year average is, in some destinations, enormous. Exports to the UAE, for example, are up 250% on the five year average, while Iran is up 381% and China by 708%.

Demand from North African countries, Turkey, Pakistan and Europe is yet to return to normal.

Mexican exports still underperforming

In Mexico, however, demand has not returned to normal levels. In the first four months of 2022, the country exported 27,946 MT, compared to 36,351 MT last year.