Russia's chickpea export potential estimated at $460 mln by 2030 - Agroexport

MOSCOW. July 3 (Interfax) - Russia reduced its exports of chickpeas to $333.9 million in 2024, but according to projections from the Agroexport federal center, with increased production and high global demand shipments could reach $460 million by 2030.

According to Agroexport's report, Russia ranks second in the world in terms of dried chickpea exports by volume. Exports totaled 539,300 tonnes last year, down 3.1% from 2023. Their value fell 4.7% to $333.9 million. Exports grew 1.5-fold in volume and 2.5-fold in value in 2020-2024.

"If the current pace of global demand growth is maintained and domestic production continues to rise, Russian chickpea exports could exceed 800,000 tonnes by 2030, amounting to $460 million," Agroexport said.

The main importers in 2024 were Turkey and Pakistan. Turkey purchased 203,200 tonnes of chickpeas, accounting for 37.7% of Russian exports, while Pakistan imported 181,000 tonnes (33.6%). Although Pakistan increased its purchases 22.3%, Turkey cut its imports by nearly a quarter. Altogether, the top 10 importers accounted for 94.6% of total export volume for the year.

Shipments to India rose most notably - to 42,900 tonnes compared to just 249.9 tonnes the previous year. This was due to the Indian government temporarily lifting import duties on chickpeas following a crop failure. The UAE also increased imports significantly, to 10,000 tonnes from 5,100 tonnes a year earlier. Jordan reduced its imports to 8,300 tonnes from 19,600 tonnes in 2023, Egypt to 15,400 tonnes from 25,100 tonnes, and Turkey to 203,200 tonnes from 269,400 tonnes, respectively.

In value terms, Turkey ($130.2 million) and Pakistan ($113.1 million) also remained the leading importers of Russian dried chickpeas. The top 10 buyer countries accounted for 95.6% of the total export value.

"In terms of prospects for expanding domestic shipments of dried chickpeas, in addition to current key destinations - Turkey and Pakistan - potential markets include countries in South Asia (India, Afghanistan, Bangladesh), the Middle East (Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Israel, Jordan, Iran, Qatar), North Africa (Egypt, Algeria, Morocco), as well as neighboring countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan)," Agroexport said.

Chickpea imports into Russia remain minimal. In 2024 they totaled just 1,400 tonnes worth $1.2 million, up 13.8% in volume and up 26.9% in value compared to 2023. The main suppliers of chickpeas to Russia in 2024 were Azerbaijan (72.2% of total imports by volume and 54.3% by value), India (13.8% and 26.8%, respectively), and Turkey (10% and 15.1%).

Production of dried chickpeas in Russia reached a record 811,100 tonnes in 2024, up 15.4% from 2023 and up 2.8-fold compared to 2020.

The chickpea sown area in 2024 amounted to 804,800 hectares, up 1.6-fold compared to 2023 and up 2.3-fold compared to 2020. This legume crop is considered heat- and light-loving, with good resistance to drought, high temperatures and short-term frosts. Most chickpeas are grown in the Volga Federal District, which accounted for 60.5% of total production in 2024, at 491,100 tonnes. Key production hubs are located in the Saratov, Samara and Orenburg regions (98% of the district's volume).

The Southern Federal District ranked second with a 32.9% share (267,200 tonnes) last year, led by the Volgograd and Rostov regions. The North Caucasian and Central Federal Districts were also notable producers, accounting for 3.2% (25,600 tonnes) and 2.8% (22,400 tonnes), respectively.

According to the report, within the structure of Russian pulse production, peas continue to hold the largest share at 70.9% of total output or 3.8 million tonnes in 2024. Chickpeas ranked second with 15.1% (811,100 tonnes) and lentils third with 10.6% (567,900 tonnes). Other significant pulses included vetch (109,800 tonnes, or 2%) and lupin (52,300 tonnes, or 1%). Other legumes, including beans and feed broad beans, accounted for a negligible share - 21,000 tonnes (0.4%).