Legumes Market Size & Share Analysis - Growth Trends And Forecast (2025 - 2030)

Global Legumes Market Trends and Insights

Rising Demand for Plant-based Protein

Plant-based protein retail sales are projected to reach USD 27 billion by 2030, with pulses serving as key ingredients in reformulated beverages, snacks, and ready meals.^{[4]Crop Science, “Plant-based protein crops and their improvement,” CROPSCIENCE.ORG} Lentil and chickpea concentrates offer high-quality amino acid profiles with 20-40% protein content and dietary fiber, enabling manufacturers to achieve clean-label requirements while reducing formulation costs compared to protein isolates. The diversification beyond soy has increased demand for lentil, chickpea, and mung bean ingredients, creating consistent year-round demand that reduces commodity price fluctuations. Major food manufacturers are securing multi-year supply contracts, contributing to market stability in the legumes segment. According to the Grains and Legumes Nutrition Council's retail audit data, plant-protein products continue to show double-digit growth in retail shelf space, indicating strong market conditions for ingredient processors and traders.

Government Push for Nitrogen-fixing Crops in Regenerative Agriculture

Government policies increasingly support crop diversification through net-zero commitments. The United Kingdom's Sustainable Farming Incentive provides farmers GBP 593 (USD 740) per hectare annually for incorporating legume fallow, making pulse crop rotation more economically viable.^{[5]Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, “CNUM3: Legume fallow,” GOV.UK}India's agricultural research department introduced 69 pulse varieties as part of a climate-resilient package of 100 new cultivars, demonstrating the government's commitment to enhancing sustainability and food security. Private sector programs align with these efforts, as exemplified by Cargill's RegenConnect program, which compensates farmers for measurable soil-health improvements, with pulse crops serving as nitrogen-fixing components. The combination of carbon market incentives and soil-health requirements makes pulse cultivation economically beneficial, even during periods of lower grain prices.

Volatile Synthetic Fertilizer Prices Favoring Legumes in Rotations

Nitrogen fertilizer costs increased by 8% in 2025, leading farmers to shift toward low-input pulse crops.^{[6]World Grain, “Rabobank: Fertilizer prices trending higher in 2025,” WORLD-GRAIN.COM} The United States allocated USD 236 million for expanding domestic fertilizer production capacity, as potential tariffs on Canadian potash threatened to increase delivered prices by more than USD 100 per metric ton. Canadian crop input sales decreased from CAD 23.4 billion (USD 17.3 billion) in 2022 to CAD 20 billion (USD 14.8 billion) in 2024, as farmers reduced nitrogen applications through crop rotation.^{[7]FCC, “Tighter grower margins cloud crop input market,” FCC-FAC.CA} Research in the Midwest indicates that 78% of farmers implemented variable-rate application or legume rotation strategies when anhydrous ammonia prices exceeded USD 700 per metric ton, demonstrating a fundamental shift that will persist beyond temporary price fluctuations.

Growth of Legume-based Meat Analogues

Next-generation meat alternatives use lentil, mung, and pea proteins to replicate muscle texture, expanding beyond traditional burger and sausage formats. The combination of electrospun fiber technology with pea protein and zein has improved the texture and mouthfeel of these products. Louis Dreyfus Company's pea-protein isolate facility in Yorkton, Canada, will serve as the foundation for a new pulses commercialization unit to meet growing ingredient demand. The European Parliament has designated pulses as energy-efficient protein sources, establishing a framework for specialized labeling and potential subsidies.^{[8]European Parliamentary Research Service, “Alternative Protein Sources for Food and Feed,” EUROPARL.EUROPA.EU} CHS Inc.'s edible bean processing volume reached 68 million pounds in 2024, representing more than twice the 2023 production level, demonstrating significant industrial adoption.

Post-harvest Storage Losses in Humid Tropics

Food storage inefficiencies result in the loss of approximately one-third of global food production. Traditional open-sun drying methods in humid conditions increase mycotoxin contamination, leading to export rejections and reduced farmer income. While hermetic bags and metal silos can reduce losses by up to 98%, high value-added taxes on storage equipment and limited agricultural extension services restrict their widespread adoption. Farmers often resort to distressed selling during harvest periods, which results in lower prices and creates a cycle of poverty that negatively impacts legume production.

Price Volatility from Erratic Trade Policies

India extended its zero-duty yellow pea imports until March 2026 while implementing 10% tariffs on lentils and desi chickpeas, disrupting trade flows.^{[9]Pulse Pod, “Tariffs on pulses,” PULSEPOD.GLOBALPULSES.COM} China imposed 10% tariffs on United States pulses and 100% tariffs on Canadian pulses, forcing traders to reroute shipments, which increased freight and hedging costs. Anti-dumping rulings and safeguard duties created additional uncertainty, as demonstrated by a 2024 pea case that halted shipments for three months. Farmdoc Daily reported that rising trade disputes could eliminate up to USD 8 billion in United States agricultural exports annually, with pulses being particularly vulnerable. This trade uncertainty has reduced capital investment in processing facilities and limited long-term outgrower contracts that support stable legume supply.

Geography Analysis

Asia-Pacific accounts for 44.5% of legumes market share in 2024, with India producing 13.5 billion kg of chickpeas, representing 74.8% of global output. Despite this substantial production, India's domestic demand necessitates imports of 4.6 million metric tons, creating opportunities for Canada, Australia, and Russia. China's pulse production shows modest growth projections for 2025, while North American trade faces challenges due to tariff adjustments. Australia maintains an annual chickpea production of 1.06 billion kg but experiences production fluctuations due to weather conditions. The emerging markets of Myanmar, Bangladesh, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines are expanding their presence in global trade, though inadequate storage and transportation infrastructure limits their market potential.

Africa projects a 4.4% CAGR through 2030, supported by programs incorporating pulses into food security frameworks. The FAO-backed Guajiro bean project demonstrates successful yield improvements in challenging conditions.^{[10]UN News, “Drought or flooding? No match for this climate-friendly bean,” UN.ORG} Uganda's storage challenges highlight infrastructure deficiencies, while cooperative storage programs and reduced duties on storage equipment are improving supply stability. The sector faces constraints from labor shortages and gender-based disparities, with mechanization access favoring male-led households. Tanzania, Kenya, Egypt, South Africa, Ghana, and Morocco are implementing drought-resistant varieties through climate-smart agriculture initiatives aimed at reducing nitrogen fertilizer dependency.

North America and Europe maintain their positions as established supply centers. The United States projects pulse exports of 1.24 million metric tons, valued at USD 1.13 billion in 2025, despite tariff uncertainties in target markets.^{[11] USDA, “Pulses,” USDA.GOV} Canada continues its export leadership but seeks market diversification beyond India and China. Russia's kabuli chickpea production has increased by 135% since 2020, potentially offsetting European supply gaps. Middle Eastern countries, including Turkey, Iran, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, present growth opportunities in both production and consumption, with Turkey emerging as a significant chickpea exporter.