Chickpea Protein Market Sees Rapid Expansion as Clean-Label and Plant-Based Demand Accelerate

ADM, Cargill, and Kerry Lead Innovation in Growing $571 Million Market by 2036

Apr. 15, 2026 at 10:36am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A minimalist studio still life photograph featuring a collection of premium, polished chickpea protein powder, isolate, and extract samples arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the functional performance and supply chain scaling of this emerging plant-based ingredient.Chickpea protein's rising prominence as a clean-label, allergen-free plant-based ingredient is driving innovation and investment across the global food industry.Newark Today

The global chickpea protein market is projected to reach $571 million by 2036, registering a strong 10.8% CAGR, as food manufacturers accelerate clean-label reformulations, allergen-free product development, and plant-based protein innovation. Leading players like ADM, Cargill, and Kerry are driving advancements in extraction technology and application-specific solutions to meet this surging demand.

Why it matters

The rapid expansion of the chickpea protein market reflects a structurally evolving ingredient landscape, where alternative protein diversification, functional performance improvements, and supply chain scaling are reshaping long-term demand across food, nutrition, and specialty applications. As manufacturers prioritize ingredient transparency and formulation flexibility, chickpea protein is emerging as a strategic alternative to traditional proteins like soy and wheat.

The details

Chickpea protein is gaining traction due to its allergen-friendly profile and clean-label compatibility, enabling food and beverage manufacturers to reformulate products and meet evolving consumer demands. Parallel growth is also coming from the sports nutrition segment, where chickpea protein isolate is being adopted as a plant-based alternative to whey and soy. Ongoing investments in extraction and processing technologies are significantly improving chickpea protein quality, enabling direct substitution for soy and pea protein with enhanced solubility, emulsification, and application consistency.

  • The global chickpea protein market was valued at $204.8 million in 2025.
  • The market is projected to reach $226.9 million in 2026 and expand to $571.0 million by 2036.
  • This represents a strong 10.8% CAGR growth trajectory from 2026 to 2036.

The players

Archer Daniels Midland Company

A leading global ingredient provider driving innovation in the chickpea protein market.

Cargill Incorporated

A major agribusiness company expanding its plant-based protein portfolio with chickpea-based solutions.

Kerry Group plc

A global taste and nutrition company developing specialized chickpea protein ingredients and applications.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

As production scales improve and cost barriers reduce, chickpea protein is expected to gain broader acceptance across global food systems, driving sustained double-digit growth through 2036.

The takeaway

The chickpea protein market is transitioning from an emerging alternative to a mainstream plant protein solution, with strong alignment to clean-label trends, allergen-free demand, and plant-based innovation. This next-generation protein is poised to become a critical component of the evolving food and nutrition landscape.