Pulse Ingredients Market Size, Share, and Trends 2024 to 2033

Pulse Ingredients Market Size and Growth 2024 to 2033   

The global pulse ingredients market size was USD 21.80 billion in 2023, calculated at USD 22.48 billion in 2024, and is expected to reach around USD 29.67 billion by 2033, expanding at a CAGR of 3.13% from 2024 to 2033. The multipurpose use of pulse ingredients in various processes and other food items drives the growth of the market.

Pulse Ingredients Market Key Takeaways

• Asia Pacific dominated with the largest revenue share of 34% in 2023.
• By source, the chickpeas segment has held a biggest revenue share of 37% revenue share in 2023.
• By application, the food & beverages segment has held a major revenue share of 45% in 2023.
• By type, the pulse flour segment has contributed more than 36% in 2023.
• By type, the pulse protein segment is expected to grow fastest during the forecast period.

Asia Pacific Pulse Ingredients Market Size and Growth 2024 to 2033

The Asia Pacific pulse ingredients market size was valued at USD 7.41 billion in 2023 and is expected to be worth around USD 10.24 billion by 2033, at a CAGR of 3.28% from 2024 to 2033.

Asia Pacific dominated the pulse ingredients market in 2023 and is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period. The growth of the region is attributed to the presence of an established food & beverages industry, an increasing consumer preference towards healthy food products, increasing awareness regarding the health benefits of pulses, a rise in disposable income, and a growing demand for convenience foods. The easy availability of raw materials, along with the rise in the major production of pulse ingredients, is likely to fuel the growth of the pulse ingredients market in the region.

Moreover, the rising need for high-protein foods due to a rise in the vegan & vegetarian population in the region is driving the demand for pulse ingredients. Among all countries, China and India are the major contributors to the market, India being the largest producer, especially of lentils, which is expected to accelerate the market’s expansion. Governments and agricultural organizations in these countries are actively engaged in promoting the cultivation and consumption of pulses to minimize the reliance on imported food products for nutrition.

According to the India Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA) in June 2023

• In 2022-23, India produced 27.8 mt of pulses. Of this, about 49 percent, or 13.6 mt, is gram (chickpeas), and about 12.5 percent, or 3.5 mt, is moong. In the case of chickpeas, short-duration chickpea varieties such as JG 11 and JAKI 9218, developed in collaboration between the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and International Crops Research Institute for the SemiArid Tropics (ICRISAT), led to an increase in the chickpea area in southern India.

According to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research report, Indian Farming February 2024:

• India is the world's largest producer, processor, importer, and consumer of pulses, having planted over 12 major and minor varieties across 29–30 million hectares. In 2022–2023, 26.05 million tons of pulses were produced in the nation.
• The export of pulses from India was around 7.75 lakh tonnes, which is worth `5397.85 crores in the year 2022-23. Major exporting crops are chickpeas and lentils, which are used to meet the increasing demand in Bangladesh, UAE, and Iran. Chickpea contributes 47% of total exports, mainly to UAE, Iran, and Saudi Arabia.

On the other hand, North America had a significant share of the pulse ingredients market in 2023, including rising health-conscious consumers, robust growth of food & beverages, rising disposable incomes, supportive government policy, and growing demand for pulse ingredients as clean-label alternatives. In addition, there is rising awareness of the health benefits associated among the vegan population with the consumption of pulses, such as lentils, chickpeas, beans, and peas, as these pulses are rich in fiber, protein, minerals, and other essential nutrients. North American countries such as the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Canada witnessed the rising production of pulses and is the highest producer of lentils in the region, which is anticipated to contribute to the market’s revenue in the region.

Canada is one of the largest pulse exporters in the world. Over 80 percent of what is grown domestically is shipped elsewhere, including 74 percent of field peas and 81 percent of lentils. Saskatchewan grows the most chickpeas, peas, and lentils nationwide, while Manitoba is the largest producer of dry beans.

Market Overview

Consumers are actively seeking nutritious and delicious products with enhanced protein and good taste, which drives the growth of the pulse ingredients market. Pulse ingredients are widely used in the food and beverage industry due to their various health benefits and functional properties. Pulse ingredients are part of the legume plants, which contain dry edible seeds such as peas, chickpeas, lentils, and beans. Pulse ingredients derived from lentils, chickpeas, peas, and beans are rich sources of nutrients such as minerals, vitamins, fibers, and proteins. Naturally, pulses are both gluten and allergen-free. Pulses are generally well-known as environmentally sustainable crops owing to their potential to create nutrient-rich soil by fixing nitrogen in the soil. They require less water during production than animal-based proteins.

Pulse Ingredients Market Growth Factors

• The increasing awareness about the health benefits associated with pulse consumption, such reduces the risks of heart diseases and cancers, aiding in lowering cholesterol levels, and lowering the risk of type-2 diabetes, is estimated to accelerate the pulse ingredients market growth rate during the forecast period.
• The rising population, coupled with the rise in disposable income, is anticipated to contribute to driving the market’s growth.
• The rising demand for plant-based protein due to its superior nutritional value at an affordable cost is expected to propel the need for pulse ingredients.
• The rising trend for clean-label food products across the globe is expected to boost the pulse ingredients market’s revenue during the forecast period.

Pulse Ingredients Market Scope

Pulse Ingredients Market Dynamics

Driver

Rising consumer inclination toward nutritious food products

The rising consumer inclination toward nutritious food products is expected to accelerate the growth of the pulse ingredients market. Consumers are highly preferring nutritious options in their daily diet plan. Health-conscious individuals actively look for nutrient-dense foods due to their high nutritional profile. Pulses are considered highly nutritionally superior to cereals and other food crops. Pulse constitutes a vital dietary constituent. Pulses contain proteins ranging from 20 to 27 percent and vitamins, essential minerals, and dietary fibers. The protein content in grain legumes is double that of wheat and three times that of rice. Pulses are widely used as a complement to cereals, which makes them the best solution for protein-calorie malnutrition. Therefore, rising consumption of natural and nutritious food products is anticipated to spur the demand for pulse ingredients during the forecast period.

• According to secondary sources, the number of health-conscious consumers in India is expected to rise from 108 million in 2020 to 176 million in 2026.

Restraint

Supply chain issues

Disruptions in the supply chain might restrict the growth of the worldwide market for pulse ingredients. The availability of components for pulse recipes can be impacted by weather variations in crop yields, which can also have an influence on cost.

Opportunity

Increase in vegetarian and vegan population.

The rising vegetarian and vegan population is projected to create a significant growth opportunity for the pulse ingredients market during the forecast period. Vegetarianism and the vegan population focus on a plant-based diet. These populations prefer eating food obtained from plants and avoid meat products to enhance their diet with wholesome. Pulses have become an integral part of the dietary system in vegetarian and vegan populations due to their rich sources of fiber, essential amino acids, vitamins, protein, and minerals.

The rising demand for plant-based protein sources among vegetarian and vegan populations led to a spurring of the consumption of pulse ingredients. Additionally, the clean label movement is increasingly becoming popular due to the rising demand of consumers for natural ingredients, no preservatives, no additives, no artificial colors, and flavors. Thus, boosting the pulse ingredients market’s growth in the coming years.

• According to the report from World Atlas, in 2023, India had the highest number of vegetarians, 38%. India is followed by Israel, contributing 13% of the population identified as vegetarians, which is further followed by Taiwan 12%, Italy 10%, the United Kingdom 9%, Germany 9%, Austria 9%, Brazil 8%, Ireland 6%, and Australia 5%.

Source Insights 

The chickpeas segment dominated the pulse ingredients market in the year 2023 and is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR during the forecast period. Chickpeas provide an adequate source of plant-based protein, which makes them appealing to health-conscious individuals following vegetarian, vegan, or flexitarian diets. Chickpeas have a low glycemic index and are a good source of fiber and protein, which assist in controlling blood sugar, reducing cholesterol, and minimizing cancer risk. In addition, the rising incidence of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and several other health concerns are compelling individuals to opt for healthy dietary options.

• According to the World Population Review report, India accounts for around 65% of the world's production of chickpeas. In 2023. India added even more arable land for chickpeas, increasing the amount by as much as 50% in certain places and as much as 25% in others.
• In January 2024, HIPPEAS announced the launch of the Chickpea Puffs line in two far-out flavors. HIPPEAS is known for its clean label, with chickpeas as the first ingredient.

On the other hand, the lentils segment estimated to have considerable growth in the global pulse ingredients market over the forecast period. Lentils contain more than 25 percent protein, which makes them a well-suited alternative to meat. Lentils are a rich source of iron, a mineral that is often lacking in vegetarian diets. Moreover, Lentils are also considered good sources of B vitamins, magnesium, potassium, iron, and zinc, which add to a nutrient-rich diet.

• In January 2024, according to the Consumer Affairs Secretary of India. India is on track to become the world’s largest producer of lentils in the 2023-24 crop year, owing to the increasing production projected to be around 1.6 million tonnes. In India, the Minimum Support Price (MSP) increased from Rs 5,100 per quintal in 2020-21 to almost Rs 6,425 per quintal in 2024-25, a rise of almost 26 %, was one of the major factors for the rising interest of farmers towards lentil. Lentil production in Canada and Australia is estimated to be around 1.4 million and 1.5 million tonnes in 2023-24, respectively. India, Australia, and Canada are the top three lentil producers in the world. 

Application Insights

The food & beverages segment dominated the pulse ingredients market in 2023. The growth of the segment is primarily driven by the increasing awareness regarding the health benefits associated with pulse ingredients. Pulse ingredients have several applications in snacks, bakery products, and other dairy alternatives as protein sources. Pulse ingredients have been widely used in spreads, bread, soups, pasta, noodles, salads, snacks, and others. Pulse contains high protein ranging from 20 to 40%, which makes pulses gain significant interest as sustainable protein sources.  Pulse ingredients can be used to enhance protein content and the potential for gluten-free formulations. Thereby, rising demand for sustainable sources of protein drives the segment’s growth.

On the other hand, the feed segment is expected to grow at a notable rate owing to the rising demand for protein-rich diets in animals, which provides an alternative protein source to soybean meal, fish meal, and other non-vegetarian meals. Pulse ingredients are an important component of branded feed products, including pet foods and aquaculture, due to their high nutritional value. It includes a diverse portfolio of pulse ingredients such as pulse fibers, pulse proteins, pulse starch, and pulse flour.

Type Insights

The pulse flour segment held the largest share of the pulse ingredients market in 2023, and the segment is expected to sustain its position throughout the forecast period. The segment’s growth is attributed to the growing demand for nutritious and plant-based food products. Pulse flour contains excellent amounts of protein and fiber and is a key ingredient in various gluten-free baked goods. In the bakery, baked snacks and pasta applications use pulse ingredients to replace wheat flour in gluten-free formulations. Pulse flours are naturally gluten-free, and they are made by grinding or milling pulses into flour. During the milling process, nothing is removed.

On the other hand, the pulse protein segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate during the forecast period, owing to the expansion of the food and beverage industry offering pulse protein. Nearly 10-20% of pulse proteins are water-soluble albumins. Pulse proteins offer several health benefits and improve the quality as well as the performance of bakery products.

Recent Developments

• In February 2024, Protein Industries Canada declared that it will be investing in the development of novel ingredients and consumer food choices. As part of the experiment, Big Mountain Foods, Danone Canada, and Old Dutch will substitute several conventional ingredients and processing aids in their respective products with novel oat and pulse ingredients developed by Avena Foods. As a result, customers will have access to additional options, such as allergy-friendly substitutes.
• In January 2024, The National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation of India and the National Cooperative Consumers' Federation of India (NCCF) will be able to buy tur dal (pigeon pea) directly from registered farmers thanks to a portal that the Indian government launched in an effort to make the country's pulse supply self-sufficient. The Indian Home Minister opened the webpage. It will make it easier to register, buy, and pay farmers directly for their Tur Dal. He added that India won't need to import any pulses by January 2028.
• In June 2023, Banza announced the launch of frozen waffles made with chickpeas.
• In June 2023, Kraft Heinz announced the introduction of chickpea-based vegan cheese slices. The business and AI brand NotCo have teamed to introduce a line of vegan cheese slices.

Pulse Ingredients Market Companies

• Roquette Freres
• ADM
• Emsland Group
• The Scoular Company
• Anchor Ingredients
• Batory Foods
• Dakota Ingredients
• Cargill
• Diefenbaker Spice & Pulse
• Cosucra
• Vestkorn
• AM Nutrition
• Avena Foods
• HUA THAI
• Aminola
• Herba Ingredients
• NutriPea
• Ebro Ingredients
• Ingredion Inc.
• Emsland Group
• Coscura; Puris
• Axiom Foods, Inc.
• AGT Food & Ingredients

Segments Covered in the Report

By Source 

• Lentils
• Peas
• Chickpeas
• Beans

By Application 

• Food & Beverage
• Feed
• Others

By Type 

• Pulse Flour
• Pulse Starch
• Pulse Protein
• Pulse Fiber & Grits

By Geography

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa