The US Dry Bean Council and the USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council See a Huge Increase in US chickpea exports to Turkey
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 chickpeas have been found to be perfect for the traditional roasted chickpea snack, 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 beans, dry peas and lentils 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 Europe, with the UK, France and Sweden starting to import increasing amounts as hummus 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