The US Dry Council and the USA Dry Pea & Council See a Huge Increase in US exports to

The US has expanded its chickpea exports to Turkey by a startling 476%, with volumes rising from 1,283 MT in 2011 to 7,392 MT 2012, for a value of $8.7 million (source: FAS).

This increase can be attributed largely to the fact that US Kabuli 9 mm have been found to be perfect for the traditional roasted chickpea , leblebi , which is so popular in Turkey. Although Indian chickpeas were much less expensive for Turkish importers in 2012, Turkish roasters demanded US chickpeas and were willing to pay a premium price for US product (an average additional $220/MT) because of their superior quality.

Turkey is a major chickpea producer, normally harvesting between 450,000 MT and 500,000 MT of chickpeas per year. However, only about 20% of the crop is the correct size and quality for roasting and the production of leblebi . Turkey has the potential to import more than 80,000 MT of 9 mm chickpeas to meet domestic demand.

The US Dry Bean Council and the USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council conduct marketing activities in Turkey, including trade servicing programs and trade missions to promote US chickpeas, dry , dry peas and in this ever-expanding market. These activities are possible thanks to MAP (Market Access Program) funding from the USDA.

US chickpeas are also performing extremely well in , with the UK, France and Sweden starting to import increasing amounts as takes off and begins to become a popular new food fashion, just as it did in the U.S.

US Kabuli chickpeas, perfect for roasting the Turkish snack food, “leblebi”.

Marketbase May 6, 2013