Chickpea Protein Market

How big is Chickpea Protein Market in 2026?

USD 117.9 million in 2026 and USD 189.1 million by 2036 at a 4.8% CAGR.

Sales of chickpea protein is projected to expand valuation from USD 117.9 million in 2026 to USD 189.1 million by 2036 at a 4.8% CAGR. Ingredient manufacturers depend on reliable pulse supplies as protein extraction capacity expands across food and beverage applications. In US, USDA NASS reported 540,000 planted chickpea acres in June 2025 and said the area was 8% above 2024. More crop availability can support protein production, though extraction yield and food-grade performance still determine the ingredient economics.

Commercialization conditions also separate faster-growth plant-based ingredients markets from mature protein markets. South Korea is forecast at 6.0% CAGR compared with 3.5% in the USA as local food-tech programs shorten the route from pilot work to scaled manufacturing. MAFRA stated in July 2026 that food smart-factory participation would rise from 30 facilities in 2024 to 187 by 2026. That manufacturing push gives alternative protein developers more sites for application work, while USA programs still depend heavily on cost-in-use and dependable ingredient supply.

Key Takeaways of Chickpea Protein Market

• Food manufacturers broaden chickpea protein use once flavor and process behavior remain stable enough for repeat production at commercial scale.
• Based on product type, protein isolates are projected to account for 45.3% in 2026 due to higher protein concentration in formulation systems.
• The conventional segment is likely to capture 95.0% share in 2026 attributable to broader crop availability and fewer segregation requirements.
• By end use, food processing is forecast to represent 47.8% in 2026 driven by several manufactured-food applications for one protein grade.
• Cultivar and extraction differences can change solubility or flavor enough to lengthen qualification and increase reformulation work for food manufacturers.
• Some of the key players in this market include Roquette Frères, ADM, Ingredion Incorporated, Cargill Incorporated, Kerry Group plc, The Scoular Company, Burcon NutraScience Corporation, and AGT Food and Ingredients Inc.

Analyst Perspective

"Chickpea protein economics are settled during formulation trials because masking and line adjustments can erase a lower ingredient price. Repeat volume follows grades that hold flavor and dispersion targets without forcing extra stabilization during normal production."

- Nandini Roy Choudhury, Principal Consultant, Future Market Insights

How is the Chickpea Protein Market segmented?

The chickpea protein market is segmented by product type, nature and end use.

Product type covers protein isolates, protein concentrates, flour and other product types, while nature separates conventional and organic material. End use includes food processing, bakery and confectionery, functional foods, meat alternatives, dairy replacements, other food applications, animal feed and livestock.

Why does Food processing lead the End use category?

Food processors can use chickpea protein for nutrition plus texture without tying the ingredient to one plant-based food category. ADM launched eight soy and pea protein products in May 2026 for beverages, bakery, meat formats and dairy alternatives. The adjacent launch shows how broad plant-protein portfolios are organized for application-specific performance during customer scale-up decisions.

• Food processing is set to lead the end use category with 47.8% share in 2026 due to application breadth in manufactured foods.
• Beverage and bakery teams run different heat or shear trials, so one protein grade can require separate approval work for each application route.

Why do Protein isolates lead the Product type category?

Protein isolates concentrate chickpea protein while limiting starch and fiber that can disturb protein beverage formats or bakery texture. Burcon started commercial production of Peazazz C pea protein at its Galesburg facility in June 2025. The adjacent pulse launch shows the scale and consistency expected from isolate producers during customer trials.

• In 2026, protein isolates are expected to lead product type with 45.3% share because concentrated protein gives formulators tighter nutrition control.
• Application teams approve an isolate once dispersion and sensory results hold under the intended process, since protein percentage alone cannot secure repeat production.

Why does Conventional lead the Nature category?

Conventional chickpea protein draws from a wider crop pool and avoids the certification route required for organic supply. Organic acreage cannot qualify immediately after a food manufacturer requests certified supply. USDA ERS noted in April 2026 that USA organic certification generally requires a three-year transition. Mainstream programs favor conventional material if delivered cost carries more weight than an organic label.

• By nature, conventional is estimated to hold 95.0% in 2026 owing to wider crop availability and fewer certification requirements for mainstream programs.
• Organic grades fit selected labels once processors secure certified continuity, but limited crop options make inventory planning less flexible than conventional supply.

What are the drivers, restraints and opportunities in the Chickpea Protein Market?

Food manufacturers are widening pulse-protein choices, yet inconsistent flavor and process behavior can slow approval. Application-specific testing can convert better protein performance into repeat orders.

• Driver: Protein diversification gives food developers another formulation route once chickpea grades meet nutrition targets without excessive sensory correction.
• Restraint: Solubility and flavor variability can lengthen plant trials as processing conditions expose differences between crops and extraction routes.
• Opportunity: Application-specific testing can move chickpea protein into beverages and bakery products where generic protein specifications provide too little guidance.

Food developers now work with several plant-based protein ingredients to balance nutrition targets against taste and manufacturing fit. ADM stated in January 2026 that 66% of global consumers in its 2025 survey sought to increase protein intake. That preference widens the formulation brief, but chickpea grades earn repeat orders once they perform reliably in the finished recipe.

Plant trials expose the main restraint as chickpea protein changes with cultivar and extraction conditions. The UK Government Chemist documented technical and non-technical barriers to alternative protein commercialization in June 2025, including consumer acceptance challenges. Weak dispersion or persistent off-notes increase masking work and delay approval for alternative protein commercialization. The commercial penalty is a longer path from technical trial to repeat ingredient ordering.

Application support becomes valuable once a protein passes basic nutrition specifications but still leaves sensory faults at scale. Kerry launched Smart Taste in September 2025 to address taste under cost and nutrition pressure. Chickpea programs can apply the same discipline to dairy alternatives by matching each grade with the masking or texture work its application requires. Better trial design reduces reformulation cycles and protects application teams from avoidable scale-up work during commercial approval.

Which country CAGRs are profiled in the Chickpea Protein Market?

Country	CAGR
South Korea	6.0%
Japan	5.5%
Germany	4.3%
UK	3.9%
USA	3.5%

How do country-level CAGRs compare in the Chickpea Protein Market?

South Korea and Japan form the higher-growth group, with a clear break to Germany and the slower UK-USA pair. The spread reaches 2.5 percentage points from 6.0% to 3.5%. Small gaps below Germany mean account concentration and application fit can outweigh the headline rate during market-entry planning.

• South Korea shortens commercialization cycles by bringing food-tech projects to manufacturing partners early.
• Japan rewards sensory adaptation since retail acceptance depends on familiar taste expectations.
• Germany gives regional pulse sourcing weight as processors compare traceability with cost.
• UK brands face crowded shelves where taste and value determine new listings.
• United States economics depend on distance between chickpea farms and fractionation capacity.

These rates measure expansion speed and do not establish absolute country revenue or account quality. The full report provides country-level CAGR analysis for North America, Latin America, Europe, East Asia, South Asia, Oceania and the Middle East and Africa.

Country-wise Analysis

• In South Korea, food-tech startups meet investors and retailers in the same commercial forums, which moves new protein concepts into trials quickly. Chickpea protein demand in South Korea is forecast to rise at 6.0% CAGR over the forecast period, reinforced by that dense commercialization network. MAFRA recorded about 200 ag-tech and food-tech startups plus investment companies and retailers at AFPRO 2025 in July 2025. Local access to development partners is useful, but chickpea grades still compete with familiar pea and soy proteins on taste. Market entry improves if Korean application teams receive samples and technical data early enough to influence product design.
• Japanese ingredient developers usually require careful sensory adaptation at the start of commercial formulation for a new pulse protein. By June 2026 MAFF listed about 1,900 participants in its Food Tech Public-Private Council. Japan is estimated to post 5.5% CAGR over the forecast period, tied to organized development routes that can move plant-based concepts toward demonstration. The council gives companies a large route for early technical collaboration during product design. Local taste expectations can narrow acceptable flavor and texture ranges later in qualification. A foreign protein producer gains more from a capable local formulation partner than from broad portfolio breadth alone.
• Even with stronger regional sourcing goals, German processors compare alternative proteins on cost and application fit in commercial food manufacturing. The German chickpea protein sector is projected to record 4.3% CAGR during the assessment period, given policy work that links plant-based products with regional value chains. Germany’s food ministry updated its nutrition-strategy measures in May 2025 and included plant-based products plus regional protein value chains. Policy attention can widen development interest but cannot remove the cost of fractionation or sensory correction. Companies entering Germany need credible sourcing records before technical trials decide whether chickpea protein can displace established pea or soy in a specific recipe.
• The mature market for milk alternatives makes UK entry demanding because another pulse source must earn space on taste and value rather than novelty. In December 2025 Defra's United Kingdom Food Security Digest identified dairy alternatives as the most popular substitute category in household purchasing data. Chickpea protein sales in the UK are forecast to expand at 3.9% CAGR by 2036, helped by a market familiar with plant-based substitution. Food price pressure limits the room available for premium protein ingredients in mainstream packaged foods and beverages. Commercial progress depends on formulations that reduce masking work without creating a noticeable cost penalty.
• United States processors must decide whether protein fractionation makes commercial sense near food manufacturing sites to use domestic chickpea supply efficiently. Chickpea protein demand in the USA is forecast to rise at 3.5% CAGR over the forecast period, attributable to feedstock access plus mature food-ingredient manufacturing. USDA NASS recorded 6.844 million cwt of USA chickpea production in 2025 versus 5.692 million cwt in 2024. More crop volume can improve sourcing options, but protein economics still depend on extraction yield and processing distance. Future USA gains will depend on whether fractionation capacity moves closer to crop supply without raising formulation costs.

Who are the notable companies in the Chickpea Protein Market?

Roquette Frères, ADM, Ingredion Incorporated, Cargill Incorporated, Kerry Group plc, The Scoular Company, Burcon NutraScience Corporation, and AGT Food and Ingredients Inc. are the notable companies serving this market.

The competitive field includes direct pulse processors plus broader plant-based food ingredients companies that shape chickpea protein qualification for commercial use. Roquette, ADM, Scoular, Burcon and AGT contribute protein or pulse-processing assets, while Ingredion, Cargill and Kerry bring plant-protein manufacturing or formulation systems. Entry barriers depend on stable protein performance plus application support and reliable scale supply.

• Pulse-protein and ingredient platforms: Roquette Frères, ADM, Ingredion Incorporated and Cargill Incorporated cover broad protein production or qualification routes.
• Application and supply platforms: Kerry Group plc and The Scoular Company contribute taste support plus food-grade crop processing and distribution.
• Focused pulse processors: Burcon NutraScience Corporation and AGT Food and Ingredients Inc. bring commercial pulse-processing capacity with narrower product scopes.

Competitive Benchmarking: Chickpea Protein Market

Company	Pulse Protein Breadth	Application Qualification Depth	Processing and Supply Control	Geographic Reach
Roquette Frères	High	High	High	Global
ADM	High	High	High	Global
Ingredion Incorporated	Medium	High	Medium	Global
Cargill Incorporated	Medium	High	High	Global
Kerry Group plc	Low	High	Medium	Global
The Scoular Company	High	Medium	High	North America and international trade
Burcon NutraScience Corporation	High	High	Medium	North America and selected international customers
AGT Food and Ingredients Inc.	High	Medium	High	Global

Scoring basis: High pulse-protein breadth requires at least three documented plant or pulse protein routes, Medium requires two and Low identifies one relevant route. High qualification depth requires application infrastructure for three or more food groups, Medium covers two and Low covers one. High processing and supply control requires documented production or crop-processing infrastructure plus customer support, while Medium reflects a narrower controlled route and Low identifies limited direct control.

Key Developments in the Chickpea Protein Market

• In February 2025, Burcon NutraScience Corporation agreed with RE ProMan on a North American protein production facility that would give Burcon exclusive manufacturing access for its plant-protein portfolio.
• In 2026, ADM continued commercializing its AccelFlex™ TS PC70 plant-protein solution, a pea-and-chickpea protein blend designed for meat alternatives and meat-extension applications
• In September 2025, Kerry Group plc opened a biotechnology centre in Leipzig for enzyme and fermentation development plus bioprocess work used in food formulation.

Key Players in the Chickpea Protein Market

Pulse Protein and Ingredient Platforms

• Roquette Frères
• ADM
• Ingredion Incorporated
• Cargill Incorporated

Application and Supply Platforms

• Kerry Group plc
• The Scoular Company

Focused Pulse Processors

• Burcon NutraScience Corporation
• AGT Food and Ingredients Inc.

Chickpea Protein Market - Report Scope

Coverage field	Report scope
Market breakdown	By product type, nature, end use and region.
Quantitative Units	USD Million.
Market Definition	Revenue from chickpea protein sold as isolates, concentrates, flour and other protein ingredient forms within the covered food and feed uses. Finished-product revenue and substitute proteins are excluded.
Regions Covered	North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, East Asia, South Asia and Pacific, Middle East and Africa.
Countries Covered	South Korea, Japan, Germany, UK, USA and more than twenty-five additional countries in the full report.
Key Companies Profiled	Roquette Frères, ADM, Ingredion Incorporated, Cargill Incorporated, Kerry Group plc, The Scoular Company, Burcon NutraScience Corporation, AGT Food and Ingredients Inc.
Forecast Period	2026 to 2036.
Approach	Hybrid bottom-up and top-down market sizing with supply, pricing, application, country and competitive checks used to reconcile the forecast.

Chickpea Protein Market - Research Methodology

Method	Approach
Primary Research	FMI analysts gathered input from manufacturers, service providers, technology developers, distributors, end users, procurement teams, and subject-matter experts. Interviews examined purchasing decisions, product or service evaluation, adoption barriers, approval requirements, pricing considerations, and expectations for technical or commercial support. Respondents were also asked what evidence is required before a trial, pilot, or initial order develops into regular purchasing.
Desk Research	Desk research covered government statistics, regulatory publications, trade data, industry associations, technical literature, standards, company filings, product information, and official corporate announcements. Sources were reviewed for relevance, publication date, geographic coverage, and consistency with the defined market scope. Claims relating to performance, applications, approvals, capacity, investment, and commercial activity were retained only when supported by credible public evidence.
Market Sizing and Forecasting	The market model combined the baseline value with historical performance, segment structure, pricing and volume indicators, adoption levels, company participation, and country-level demand conditions. Forecast assumptions considered economic activity, investment trends, regulatory developments, technology adoption, purchasing cycles, supply availability, and barriers to wider market use. Segment and regional estimates were reconciled before the final market total was calculated.
Data Validation	Estimates were checked against multiple independent indicators, including public data, company activity, trade patterns, industry developments, and findings from primary interviews. Validation also tested whether products, services, applications, and company revenues fell within the defined market boundaries. Adjacent categories, unsupported claims, overlapping revenues, and activities without direct market relevance were excluded to reduce double counting and maintain consistency across segments and countries.

Chickpea Protein Market by Segments

Chickpea Protein Market segmented by Product Type:

• Protein Isolates
• Protein Concentrates
• Flour
• Other Product Types

Chickpea Protein Market segmented by Nature:

• Conventional
• Organic

Chickpea Protein Market segmented by End Use:

• Food Processing
• Bakery & Confectionery
• Functional Foods
• Meat Alternatives
• Dairy Replacements
• Other Food Applications
• Animal Feed
• Livestock

Chickpea Protein Market by Region:

• North America
  • United States
  • Canada
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Argentina
  • Chile
• Western Europe
  • Germany
  • France
  • United Kingdom
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Benelux
  • Nordics
• Eastern Europe
  • Poland
  • Czech Republic
  • Romania
  • Hungary
• East Asia
  • China
  • Japan
  • South Korea
• South Asia and Pacific
  • India
  • ASEAN
  • Australia and New Zealand
• Middle East and Africa
  • GCC Countries
  • South Africa
  • Türkiye
  • Israel

Research Sources and Bibliography

• USA Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service. (2025, June 30). Acreage.
• USA Department of Agriculture, National Agricultural Statistics Service. (2026, January 12). Crop Production 2025 Summary.
• USA Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service. (2026, April 7). Small family farms drive USA organic acreage with more owned than rented land across farm sizes.
• Government Chemist. (2025, June 16). Quantitative review of sustainable novel food production.
• Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs. (2025, December 11). United Kingdom Food Security Digest 2025.
• Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Germany. (2025, May 23). Abgeschlossene und dauerhafte Maßnahmen der Ernährungsstrategie.
• Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Japan. (2026, June).
• Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Republic of Korea. (2025, July 16). The AFPRO 2025: Innovative Technologies of Ag-tech and Food-tech Startups Grab Special Attention from the Industry.
• Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, Republic of Korea. (2026, July 20). S. Korea Unveils Master Plan to Integrate Advanced Technologies into the Food Sector.
• Roquette Frères. (2025, June 17). Roquette grows NUTRALYS plant protein portfolio with addition of new textured wheat and pea proteins.
• Roquette Frères. (2025, October 30). AMYSTA L 123 Thermally Soluble Pea Starch Marks the Start of Roquette’s Next-Generation Label-Friendly Starch Range.
• ADM. (2026, January 15). ADM investment in Erlanger facility strengthens capabilities for growing reformulation demand.
• ADM. (2026, May 20). ADM advances protein innovation with new ingredient solutions.
• ADM. (2026, July 30). ADM to Expand North America Crush Capacity Amid Strong Biofuel Demand.
• Burcon NutraScience Corporation. (2025, February 3). Burcon Agrees to Terms with its Alliance Partner for a Protein Production Facility.
• Burcon NutraScience Corporation. (2025, March 10). Burcon Announces its Alliance Partner Completes Acquisition of Protein Production Facility.
• Burcon NutraScience Corporation. (2025, June 9). Burcon achieves first commercial production of pea protein.
• Burcon NutraScience Corporation. (2025, June 17). Burcon Enters into $6.8 Million Multi-Year Production Agreement.
• Burcon NutraScience Corporation. (2025, August 13). Burcon announces fiscal 2026 first quarter results.
• Kerry Group plc. (2025, September 24). Kerry establishes new Biotechnology Centre in Leipzig.
• Kerry Group plc. (2025, September 30). Kerry launches Smart Taste to help customers navigate market complexities without compromising on taste.
• Kerry Group plc. (2026, April 20). Kerry opens expanded biotechnology manufacturing hub in Ireland.
• Cargill Incorporated. (2025, March 4). Cargill Showcases Full Range of Innovative Food Solutions at AAHAR 2025.
• Cargill Incorporated. (2026, June 3). Cargill strengthens Belgium as strategic European food innovation and manufacturing hub.
• Ingredion Incorporated. (2026, March 18). What’s next in food innovation: How AI and microbiome measurement are driving a new era of ingredient discovery.
• Ingredion Incorporated. (2026, July 6). Ingredion to Spotlight Next-Generation Solutions for Texture, Clean Labels and Positive Nutrition at IFT FIRST 2026.
• The Scoular Company. (2025, October 2). Scoular progresses on regenerative agriculture, other sustainability goals.
• The Scoular Company. (2026, August 3). Growing demand drives Scoular soybean dehuller expansion in Ohio.
• AGT Food and Ingredients Inc. (2026, August 10). AGT Food and Ingredients Inc. Announces Financial Results for Q2 2026.

This Report Answers

• How large is the chickpea protein market in 2026 and what value is forecast for 2036?
• Which formulation requirements influence repeat purchases of chickpea protein?
• Why do protein isolates hold 45.3% of product type demand in 2026?
• Why does conventional material account for 95.0% of nature demand in 2026?
• Why does food processing represent 47.8% of end-use demand in 2026?
• How do country growth rates compare among South Korea, Japan, Germany, the UK and USA?
• Which companies influence chickpea protein production, processing and application qualification?
• Which functional and sensory issues can slow commercial approval of chickpea protein?
• How should food manufacturers compare protein cost with masking and reformulation requirements?