The war in Ukraine could make you pay more for hummus

Russia and Ukraine are two of the biggest exporters of chickpeas, and global supply is expected to decline this year.

Hummus has long gone beyond its roots as a Middle Eastern staple to become a familiar treat around the world. Now, the Russian invasion of Ukraine could lead to a shortage of this creamy chickpea dish.

Russia and Ukraine are two of the biggest world chickpea exporters - Russia alone accounts for around a quarter of the world's chickpea trade - and supply of the pulse could be reduced by up to 20% this year, according to an estimate by the World Pulse Confederation .

Fighting in Ukraine as well as economic sanctions imposed on Russia are the biggest disruptors to the flow of chickpeas, according to the industry group, which represents growers and pulse traders, dried seeds of pulses including peas, beans and lentils. Rising freight prices, due in part to rising oil prices, are another issue.

“Globally, chickpea prices could increase by 15-20% – the same value as the fall in supply,” said Navneet Singh Chhabra, an analyst at the trade association and director of Shree Sheela International, a global chickpea trader.

Russia is one of the world's largest suppliers of chickpeas, producing around 250,000 tonnes of chickpeas per year. But economic sanctions limit the means by which its growers can get chickpeas out of the country, Chhabra said.

The problem is different in Ukraine: a large Part of its crop is usually planted in Kharkiv province, where fighting has hampered plantings. Ukraine usually produces between 30,000 and 50,000 tons of chickpeas a year, but will produce a maximum of 5,000 tons this year, Chhabra estimated.

Russia is a major supplier of a smaller variety, called Kabuli chickpeas, which is particularly preferred for hummus, Chhabra said.

The main markets Russia's exports are Iraq, Jordan, Egypt, Pakistan and India, and the demand from these markets will cause repercussions around the world, he said.

< p class="css-at9mc1 evys1bk0">"The South Asian market will buy the cheapest chickpea, but in the Middle East and the United States there is a strong preference for the smaller Kabuli chickpea and smoother, because that's what makes the best wrinkle-free hummus,” Chhabra said. "And Russia exports the best and largest amount of Kabuli chickpeas in the world."