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Consumer, Food & RetailMiddle East and AfricaUpdated

Middle East and Africa Chickpea flour Market 2026: imports and key figures

Countries in the Middle East and Africa reported $20.6 million of imports of chickpea flour and related goods (HS 110610) in their latest year with data. Saudi Arabia was the largest importer.

Also coveredEuropean Union

-1% since 2020

Imports under HS 110610 by the 10 countries that reported every year from 2020 to 2025 were down 1%

$5.4million

Saudi Arabia was the largest importer among the countries covered, with $5.4 million in 2025

$5.2million

Algeria followed with $5.2 million in 2024

EU exports to the countries covered were €1.0 million in 2025.

What this market covers

Flour ground from dried chickpeas, also called gram or besan flour. Bakers, snack makers and gluten free brands buy it.

Typical segments

  • Besan
  • Roasted chickpea flour
  • Gluten free blends
  • Batter mixes

Top importing countries

Customs import value under HS 110610 in each country's latest reported year (in brackets), USD million.

  1. Saudi Arabia (2025)5.5 USD million
  2. Algeria (2024)5.2 USD million
  3. United Arab Emirates (2023)3.0 USD million
  4. Kuwait (2025)2.4 USD million
  5. South Africa (2025)1.4 USD million
  6. Kenya (2025)1.4 USD million
  7. Oman (2025)0.6 USD million
  8. Qatar (2024)0.4 USD million

GCC and Africa

Import value by country group, latest reported year per country, USD million.

  1. GCC12.2 USD million
  2. Jordan and Israel0.2 USD million
  3. North Africa5.2 USD million
  4. Sub-Saharan Africa3.0 USD million
ChartImports under HS 110610 by the 10 countries reporting every year, USD million
Imports under HS 110610 by the 10 countries reporting every year, USD million02.557.51012.52020: 11.7 USD million11.720202021: 8.4 USD million8.420212022: 10 USD million1020222023: 9.7 USD million9.720232024: 10.7 USD million10.720242025: 11.6 USD million11.62025

Source: UN Comtrade

Why this market is moving now

  • Import value for the 10 countries reporting every year fell 1% from 2020 to 2025.
  • EU exports of the matching CN code to the region rose 125% from 2020 to 2025.
  • Demand is concentrated: one country took a large share of the region's reported imports.

About the data

Figures are customs import values (CIF, US dollars) that 19 countries reported to UN Comtrade for HS code 110610 (Flour, meal and powder of peas, beans, lentils and the other dried leguminous vegetables). Each country's latest reported year is used: Algeria 2024, Bahrain 2024, Cote d'Ivoire 2025, Egypt 2024, Ethiopia 2022, Ghana 2025, Israel 2025, Jordan 2024, Kenya 2025, Kuwait 2025, Morocco 2025, Nigeria 2025, Oman 2025, Qatar 2024, Saudi Arabia 2025, South Africa 2025, Tanzania 2025, Tunisia 2024, United Arab Emirates 2023.

South Africa reports import values FOB (free on board) rather than CIF.

EU export figures are Eurostat Comext values in euros for CN code 11061000 (Flour, meal and powder of peas, beans, lentils and the other dried leguminous vegetables), the code used on the EU page for this market. Shares, changes and per-kilogram values are calculated from these figures. No figure on this page is a forecast.

Key figures

Each figure names the source it came from. Open the source list below to read the quoted line.

FigureValueYearSource
Customs data from 19 Middle East and Africa countries shows imports of $20.6 million under HS code 110610 (Flour, meal and powder of peas, beans, lentils and the other dried leguminous vegetables) in their latest year with data (2025 for 11 countries, 2024 for 6, 2023 for 1 and 2022 for 1).20.6 USD million2025UN Comtrade
Imports under HS 110610 by the 10 countries that reported every year from 2020 to 2025 were down 1% in 2025 compared with 2020, from $11.7 million to $11.6 million, calculated from UN Comtrade values.-1 % since 20202025UN Comtrade
Saudi Arabia was the largest importer among the countries covered, with $5.4 million in 2025, or 26% of the total.5.4 USD million2025UN Comtrade
Algeria followed with $5.2 million in 2024.5.2 USD million2024UN Comtrade
The six GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries accounted for $12.2 million, or 59% of the total, in their latest reported years.12.2 USD million2025UN Comtrade
The 11 African countries with data accounted for $8.2 million, or 40% of the total.8.2 USD million2025UN Comtrade
The average import value under HS 110610 was $1.40 per kilogram across the 18 countries that reported net weight, calculated from UN Comtrade value and weight.1.40 USD per kg2025UN Comtrade
EU exports of CN 11061000 (Flour, meal and powder of peas, beans, lentils and the other dried leguminous vegetables) to the 13 Middle East and Africa countries covered were worth €1.0 million in 2025.1.0 EUR million2025Eurostat
EU exports of CN 11061000 to these countries were up 125% in 2025 compared with 2020, when they were €453 thousand, calculated from Eurostat values.+125 % since 20202025Eurostat
Kenya was the largest of these destinations for EU exports of CN 11061000 in 2025, at €875 thousand.875 EUR thousand2025Eurostat

Sources and method

The figures on this page come from the public sources listed below. Read how we work.

  1. UN Comtrade: UN Comtrade database, annual imports by HS code (public preview API) (2026-11-06)
    Quoted lines
    • Figure 1cmdCode=110610 flowCode=M partnerCode=0 primaryValue: ARE2023=2985569; BHR2024=348738; CIV2025=2367; DZA2024=5226045; EGY2024=570; ETH2022=29; GHA2025=10057; ISR2025=169000; JOR2024=3134; KEN2025=1360083; KWT2025=2394404; MAR2025=5579; NGA2025=190120; OMN2025=609131; QAT2024=417453; SAU2025=5445861; TUN2024=2992; TZA2025=10286; ZAF2025=1427974; sum=20609394
    • Figure 2cmdCode 110610, flowCode M, partnerCode 0, sum of primaryValue for CIV ISR KEN KWT MAR NGA OMN SAU TZA ZAF: 2020 = 11744057; 2025 = 11614807; change -1%
    • Figure 3reporterCode 682, period 2025, cmdCode 110610, flowCode M, partnerCode 0, primaryValue 5445861; share of 20609394 = 26%
    • Figure 5cmdCode 110610, flowCode M, partnerCode 0, sum of primaryValue for ARE BHR KWT OMN QAT SAU = 12201157; share 59%
    • Figure 6cmdCode 110610, flowCode M, partnerCode 0, sum of primaryValue for CIV DZA EGY ETH GHA KEN MAR NGA TUN TZA ZAF = 8236103; share 40%
    • Figure 7cmdCode 110610, flowCode M, partnerCode 0, sum of primaryValue 15163532 / sum of netWgt 10809143 kg = 1.40 USD per kg
  2. UN Comtrade: UN Comtrade database, annual imports by HS code (public preview API) (2026-11-06)
    Quoted lines
    • Figure 4reporterCode 12, period 2024, cmdCode 110610, flowCode M, partnerCode 0, primaryValue 5226045
  3. Eurostat: EU trade since 1988 by HS2-4-6 and CN8 (DS-045409) (2026-11-06)
    Quoted lines
    • Figure 8DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 11061000, flow export, VALUE_IN_EUROS, 2025: AE=23270; BH=59; CI=374; DZ=24094; ET=4; GH=104; IL=54987; KE=875490; KW=125; MA=1126; SA=7019; TN=1099; ZA=29039; sum 1016790
    • Figure 9DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 11061000, flow export, VALUE_IN_EUROS, sum over the same partners: 2020 = 452632; 2025 = 1016790; change +125%
    • Figure 10DS-045409, reporter EU27_2020, product 11061000, partner KE, flow export, 2025, VALUE_IN_EUROS 875490

Buyers and suppliers

Who buys

  • Bakeries
  • Snack makers
  • Gluten free food brands

EU exports to the largest destinations in the region, 2025

Eurostat Comext, CN 11061000, EUR million.

  1. Kenya0.9 EUR million
  2. Israel0.1 EUR million
  3. South Africa0.0 EUR million
  4. Algeria0.0 EUR million
  5. United Arab Emirates0.0 EUR million
  6. Saudi Arabia0.0 EUR million

What the full report covers

  1. 01Executive summary
    The answer in one page: size, direction and what moves it
  2. 02Market definition and scope
    What is in and out of the Middle East and Africa market
  3. 03Market size, 2021 to 2025
    Historical series and growth rates
  4. 04Outlook to 2031
    Base, low and high scenarios with stated assumptions
  5. 05Rules, policy and deadlines
    Regulation and programmes that change demand
  6. 06Drivers and barriers
    What accelerates or slows adoption, by customer segment
  7. 07Prices, costs and margins
    Unit economics where public data allows
  8. 08Competitive landscape
    8 to 12 company profiles with recent moves
  9. 09Opportunities and risks
    For new entrants, suppliers and investors
  10. 10Method and sources
    Every assumption and source, listed

Included with the full report

  • PDF report, 40 to 60 pages
  • Excel data pack
  • Ready-to-use charts
  • Method note and assumptions
  • Written to order in 5 working days
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Frequently asked questions

How big is the Middle East and Africa chickpea flour market?

There is no single official market total. Customs data reported to UN Comtrade shows imports of $20.6 million under HS code 110610 by 19 countries in the region, using the latest year each one reported.

Which Middle East and Africa countries import the most chickpea flour?

Saudi Arabia was the largest importer, followed by Algeria and the United Arab Emirates.

How do GCC and African imports of chickpea flour compare?

The GCC countries with data took $12.2 million, or 59% of the total, and the African countries with data took $8.2 million, or 40%, each in its latest reported year.

How much chickpea flour does the EU export to the Middle East and Africa?

Eurostat shows EU exports of CN 11061000 to the countries covered of €1.0 million in 2025. Kenya was the largest destination.

What is the average import price of chickpea flour in the Middle East and Africa?

Dividing UN Comtrade import value by net weight gives about $1.40 per kilogram for HS 110610, across the countries that reported weight.

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