Argentina Chickpeas Market Overview, 2030

Argentina stands as one of Latin America's leading chickpea producers and exporters, with a well-established presence in the global Kabuli chickpea trade. The country’s chickpea cultivation is largely concentrated in the northwest provinces Salta, Córdoba, Tucumán, and Santiago del Estero where dryland farming systems and favorable post-harvest infrastructure support efficient production and storage. Chickpeas are grown predominantly under rainfed conditions between May and October and are rotated with winter cereals like wheat and barley to maintain soil health and ensure economic sustainability for farmers. Argentina’s chickpea crop is almost entirely made up of Kabuli types, especially large-seeded 8–10 mm variants, which cater to export markets due to their demand in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisines. Desi chickpeas are not cultivated locally and have no notable presence in the domestic market. Argentina’s agro-export model and emphasis on crop diversification have fueled steady chickpea expansion over the past decade, supported by agronomic initiatives from INTA (Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria), which guides farmers on best practices and disease control for chickpeas. Domestic chickpea consumption remains low but is gradually increasing as plant-based food trends and international cuisines gain traction in urban centers like Buenos Aires and Mendoza. Restaurants and specialty food retailers promote hummus, falafel, and chickpea stews, which have contributed to a mild but noticeable rise in awareness among middle- and upper-income consumers. Government certifications like SENASA, IRAM, Organic Argentina, and Halal ensure traceability and compliance for export-oriented production, especially to Muslim-majority markets. Argentina’s favorable climate, low production costs, and established shipping access via Rosario and Buenos Aires make it a preferred supplier of high-quality Kabuli chickpeas to global buyers.

According to the research report, "Argentina Chickpeas Market Overview, 2030," published by Bonafide Research, the Argentina Chickpeas market is anticipated to add to more than USD 30 Million by 2025–30.Argentina’s chickpea market shows stable planted acreage between 80,000 to 100,000 hectares annually, with average production volumes ranging from 100,000 to 140,000 metric tons depending on rainfall and pest conditions. Córdoba and Salta remain the top contributors, often accounting for more than 70% of national chickpea acreage. The seeding window typically begins in May and harvesting concludes by November, with most farmers relying on non-irrigated land, which increases yield sensitivity to seasonal droughts or excessive humidity. Yields vary between 1.2 to 1.8 tons per hectare, although precision farming practices and certified seeds have allowed some producers in Tucumán to exceed 2.0 tons per hectare under optimal conditions. Prices of Argentine Kabuli chickpeas, especially 8 mm and above, ranged between USD 900 to USD 1,200 per ton FOB Rosario in 2024, reflecting quality, grain size, and global demand. India’s intermittent export bans, Mexico’s droughts, and Turkey’s internal consumption spikes often influence Argentina’s pricing and export flows. Exporters manage logistics through key ports like Buenos Aires, San Lorenzo, and Rosario, ensuring access to EU, Middle East, and Latin American buyers. Post-harvest handling is critical due to chickpeas’ susceptibility to quality deterioration, and most farms rely on commercial cleaning, grading, and fumigation facilities located near collection centers in Salta and Córdoba. Cold storage is minimal, so time-sensitive dispatches dominate export operations.

Argentina’s chickpea production exclusively focuses on the Kabuli variety, which is preferred for its larger seed size, lighter color, and smoother texture, aligning with export market demands, especially in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa. Kabuli chickpeas grown in regions like Córdoba, Salta, and Tucumán typically range from 8 mm to 10 mm in diameter, with 9 mm and above considered premium grades used for high-value products such as hummus and salad mixes. Desi chickpeas have minimal presence in Argentina, with virtually no commercial cultivation, as local culinary preferences and processing infrastructure do not support this type. Instead, small quantities of Desi chickpeas are imported primarily to cater to niche ethnic markets comprising Indian, Pakistani, and Middle Eastern communities concentrated in Buenos Aires and Rosario. Argentine research institutions like INTA focus heavily on developing Kabuli varieties that exhibit resistance to common diseases such as Fusarium wilt and Ascochyta blight, which are prevalent in dryland farming systems. These breeding efforts have improved yield stability and grain quality, supporting Argentina’s competitive edge as an export hub. The country’s Kabuli chickpeas comply with strict international quality standards, including moisture content below 12%, uniform grain size, and low impurity levels, which help maintain access to demanding markets. Traders and exporters segment Kabuli chickpeas into various size grades for different uses; smaller grains often target animal feed or lower-tier food markets, while larger grains supply the premium segment. Exporters such as AgroAndina and Legumbres Argentinas regularly test for protein content and ensure traceability to meet certification requirements like SENASA and IRAM.

Argentina’s chickpea market primarily revolves around whole dried chickpeas, which represent the major form produced and exported. These whole dried chickpeas are typically packed in bulk quantities of 25 kg jute sacks or polypropylene bags for shipment, predominantly from ports like Rosario and Buenos Aires. The dried whole chickpeas meet strict quality standards for moisture, size, and purity, which is essential to maintain export competitiveness in markets such as the Middle East and Europe. Chickpea flour, known locally as harina de garbanzo, is available but remains a niche product in Argentina. It is mainly found in health food stores and specialty outlets catering to gluten-free and vegetarian consumers, with limited commercial-scale production. Canned chickpeas are produced domestically by local brands like La Campagnola, Marolio, and Molto, which package cooked chickpeas for retail consumers seeking convenience. These canned products cater to urban areas where consumers look for ready-to-use pulses in salads, stews, and quick meals. Split chickpeas (chana dal) are uncommon in the Argentine market and are largely absent from local production and mainstream retail. They are available mostly through imported ethnic groceries that serve Indian, Pakistani, and Middle Eastern communities. E-commerce platforms such as Mercado Libre have expanded the availability of all chickpea forms, including whole dried, flour, and canned, thus enhancing consumer access across the country. Packaging sizes vary widely, from small retail packs of 400g or 1kg to larger bulk quantities for foodservice and industrial buyers.

In Argentina, chickpeas are primarily used in the food and beverage sector, with most consumption focused on culinary applications such as hummus, salads, soups, and vegetarian dishes. The rising interest in Middle Eastern cuisine and vegan protein sources has gradually expanded chickpea use in urban restaurants and health-conscious households. Restaurants in cities like Buenos Aires, Mendoza, and Rosario increasingly include chickpea-based dishes on their menus, catering to a growing demand for plant-based and gluten-free options. Food manufacturers and snack producers are developing products using chickpea flour and whole chickpeas for ready-to-eat meals and healthy snacks. Despite this, the animal feed industry largely excludes chickpeas due to the dominance of cheaper and more readily available feed ingredients such as soy and corn. However, cracked and downgraded chickpeas, as well as chickpea straw, are occasionally utilized in livestock feed, particularly in cattle and pig rations in agricultural zones like Salta and Córdoba. Some exporters also supply chickpea meal for use in mixed feed formulations, but this remains a minor part of the overall chickpea market. Niche uses include chickpea protein supplements for human nutrition and gluten-free baking ingredients. Nutrition forums, culinary schools, and public health discussions in Argentina increasingly promote chickpeas as part of healthy Mediterranean diets, which further supports consumer interest.



In Argentina, the distribution of chickpeas follows distinct B2B and B2C channels, serving both domestic consumption and export demands. The B2B segment primarily involves bulk chickpea exports managed by agro-export companies operating out of major ports like Rosario and Buenos Aires. These exporters supply large volumes of whole dried Kabuli chickpeas to international buyers in Europe, the Middle East, and Latin America. Domestic B2B channels include wholesalers, food processors, snack manufacturers, and restaurant chains that source chickpeas directly from producers or commission agents linked to local production hubs in Córdoba, Salta, and Tucumán. Chickpeas are supplied to institutional buyers such as catering companies and foodservice providers catering to urban centers. On the B2C front, chickpeas are widely available in retail supermarkets including Carrefour, Coto, and Día Argentina, where packaged forms such as canned chickpeas, dried whole chickpeas, and chickpea flour are sold. Pack sizes vary from smaller consumer packs (400g–1kg) to larger 25kg sacks for foodservice use. Branding strategies in B2C focus on clean-label, organic, non-GMO certifications to appeal to health-conscious urban consumers. Additionally, e-commerce platforms like Mercado Libre and specialty food stores contribute significantly to chickpea sales, offering convenience and variety to end-users. These online channels stock both imported and locally processed chickpea products, expanding reach beyond traditional retail. The B2C market also benefits from niche outlets targeting vegan and gluten-free consumers, especially in metropolitan areas.

Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Chickpeas Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By type
• Kabuli Chickpeas
• Desi Chickpeas

By Form
• Whole Dried Chickpeas
• Chickpea Flour (Besan)
• Canned Chickpeas
• Split Chickpeas (Chana Dal)

By Application
• Food & Beverage
• Animal Feed
• Others

By Distribution Channel
• B2B
• B2C