Latvia’s chickpea import quantity provides an important view of the country’s international pulse trade and its dependence on overseas supplies of dried legumes. Chickpeas are used across households, foodservice, packaged-food manufacturing, and ingredient applications, making their availability relevant to several parts of the food supply chain. Because domestic agricultural conditions may not always provide the required volume or variety, international sourcing can play a role in maintaining market supply. Monitoring import quantities helps businesses and analysts understand how much dried chickpea product enters Latvia and how sourcing patterns change over time.
The Latvia dried chickpea import volume provides a quantity-focused perspective on this trade activity. Unlike import-value statistics, which measure the monetary worth of transactions, import quantity focuses on the physical amount entering the country. This makes volume data particularly useful for understanding supply movements, procurement requirements, inventory planning, and changes in international sourcing.
A Look at Recent Import Activity
International trade data under HS code 071320, covering dried chickpeas, shelled, shows that Latvia imported 100,355 kilograms in 2024, valued at approximately USD 126.85 thousand. Turkey was the largest recorded supplier by quantity at 47,030 kilograms, followed by Germany with 24,290 kilograms. Lithuania, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Estonia, and Kazakhstan were among the other recorded suppliers.
The 2024 figures also demonstrate that Latvia’s supply network was distributed across several countries. Such sourcing diversity can give importers access to different supply channels and product specifications while allowing them to respond to changes in availability, pricing, transportation, and purchasing requirements.
Changes in Import Volumes
Latvia’s dried chickpea import quantity has varied substantially over recent years. In 2023, imports totaled 93,819 kilograms, compared with 100,355 kilograms in 2024. The 2023 supply structure differed from 2024, with the Russian Federation accounting for 40,950 kilograms and Kazakhstan providing 31,500 kilograms. Germany and Italy were also notable suppliers that year.
Looking further back, Latvia imported 1,475,670 kilograms of dried chickpeas in 2020. The Russian Federation accounted for 1,410,060 kilograms of that volume. The large difference between the 2020 quantity and more recent reported volumes illustrates how international sourcing patterns can change considerably over time.
These variations can be associated with supplier availability, trade relationships, inventory requirements, market demand, pricing conditions, and individual commercial shipments. A single year's quantity should therefore be considered within the broader historical context.
Supplier Diversification
Supplier geography is an important part of Latvia’s chickpea import landscape. In 2024, Turkey supplied nearly half of the recorded import quantity, while Germany represented another significant source. Lithuania, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Estonia, and Kazakhstan supplied additional quantities.
A diversified sourcing structure can help importers maintain access to raw materials when conditions change in individual supplying markets. For food companies, supplier diversification may also support different requirements related to chickpea size, quality, packaging, certification, and processing suitability.
European suppliers can also provide logistical advantages because of geographic proximity and established regional transportation networks. At the same time, suppliers from outside the immediate European market can contribute additional sourcing options.
Consumer and Food Industry Applications
Chickpeas are used in a broad range of food applications. Whole dried chickpeas can be sold through retail channels for household cooking, while processors can use them to produce prepared foods and ingredients. Chickpeas are also associated with products such as hummus, soups, salads, snacks, spreads, and plant-based foods.
Their versatility creates demand across both consumer and commercial channels. Retailers may stock dried chickpeas as part of their pulse and legume categories, while restaurants and food manufacturers may purchase them in larger quantities for preparation or processing.
As food companies continue developing convenient and plant-based products, chickpeas can serve as an ingredient in multiple product formats. Import quantity data can consequently provide useful information about the physical supply entering the Latvian market.
Logistics and Supply Planning
Because dried chickpeas have a relatively long shelf life compared with fresh agricultural products, importers have greater flexibility in transportation and inventory management. Nevertheless, effective logistics remain important because international shipments must be coordinated with warehouse capacity, distribution schedules, and expected demand.
Importers can use historical quantity information to help evaluate purchasing patterns and anticipate potential supply requirements. Monitoring supplier-level changes can also help businesses identify shifts in sourcing and adjust procurement strategies.
Storage conditions remain important as well. Dried pulses need suitable environments to maintain quality and protect products from moisture, pests, and contamination. Efficient warehouse management can therefore complement international procurement activity.
Latvia’s Position in Regional Trade
Latvia is also connected to regional chickpea trade through exports and re-exports. In 2024, Germany imported 40,290 kilograms of dried chickpeas from Latvia, while Lithuania imported 31,132 kilograms and Ireland imported 7,661 kilograms.
This means Latvia’s role is not limited to importing dried chickpeas for domestic use. Cross-border distribution can also form part of the country’s wider trade activity. The balance between imports and exports can change depending on commercial transactions and regional demand.
Historical data further illustrates this variation. In 2020, Latvia exported 1,375,660 kilograms of dried chickpeas, with Lithuania receiving 1,368,960 kilograms. By 2022, reported exports had fallen to 5,688 kilograms, while Estonia and Lithuania were the destinations.
These changes demonstrate why both import and export quantity should be considered when examining Latvia’s position within the regional pulse supply chain.
Factors Affecting Future Import Quantity
Several factors may influence Latvia’s future dried chickpea import volumes. International harvest conditions can affect the availability of chickpeas in producing countries, while global prices can influence procurement decisions. Transportation costs, currency movements, supplier reliability, and regional demand can also affect import strategies.
Consumer preferences represent another consideration. Demand for plant-based meals, high-protein foods, convenient packaged products, and traditional pulse-based foods can influence the requirement for chickpeas across retail and foodservice channels.
Changes in domestic inventory levels can also affect individual-year import volumes. Businesses may increase purchases when inventories are low or reduce new shipments when existing stocks are sufficient.
Importance of Quantity-Based Trade Data
Import quantity is particularly valuable because it measures the physical flow of products rather than their financial value. Comparing quantity and value together can help analysts understand whether changes in trade are driven mainly by shipment volume, pricing, or both.
For example, Latvia’s 2024 import quantity of 100,355 kilograms was accompanied by an import value of USD 126.85 thousand. In 2023, the country imported 93,819 kilograms valued at USD 100.11 thousand. Such data can help businesses examine changes in procurement and average transaction values without relying on a single indicator.
Outlook for Latvia’s Chickpea Imports
Latvia’s dried chickpea import market is shaped by international supply, regional trade relationships, food-industry requirements, consumer demand, and procurement strategies. Recent data shows that import quantities have changed significantly across different periods, while the identity of major suppliers has also shifted.
For importers, distributors, retailers, and food manufacturers, continued monitoring of quantity data can support supply planning and market analysis. Examining the physical volume entering Latvia alongside supplier countries and historical trade patterns can provide a clearer understanding of the country’s position in the regional chickpea supply chain.
Overall, Latvia’s chickpea import quantity remains a useful trade indicator for assessing international sourcing and the availability of dried chickpeas in the market. Future movements will depend on global supply conditions, commercial demand, logistics, pricing, and changes in regional sourcing patterns.
FAQs
1. How much dried chickpeas did Latvia import in 2024?
Latvia imported 100,355 kilograms of dried, shelled chickpeas in 2024, according to World Bank WITS trade data.
2. Which country supplied the most dried chickpeas to Latvia in 2024?
Turkey was the largest recorded supplier by quantity in 2024, providing 47,030 kilograms, followed by Germany with 24,290 kilograms.
3. Why can Latvia’s chickpea import quantity change from year to year?
Import quantities can change because of variations in international supply, supplier availability, prices, inventory requirements, consumer demand, transportation conditions, and individual commercial purchasing decisions.