Understanding the segmentation of the pulse flours market is key for companies operating in this space or planning to enter. According to MRFR, the market is broken down by legume type, application, and distribution channel. 

By Source (Legume Type)

• Includes chickpea, lentil, pea, bean. The report notes that chickpea segment held a majority share in 2022.

• Each source offers different nutritional and functional profiles: e.g., chickpea high in protein/fiber; pea flours rising for plant-based meat substitutes.

By Application

• Applications include bakery products, savoury snacks, meat products, beverages. According to MRFR, the bakery segment dominated in 2022.

• The snack and meat-alt apps are emerging fast and represent growth pockets.

By Distribution Channel

• Channels include store-based (super-/hypermarkets, convenience stores) and non-store based (online, D2C). The report indicates store-based held majority in earlier years.

• However, as niche health brands and ingredient blends grow, online & direct channels will gain.

Strategic take-aways

• If you are focusing on high volume, mass-market opportunities: legume sources with lower cost, applications in bakery, broad store-based channels.

• If you are going premium/health/plant-based niche: legume sources like pea/lentil, applications in meat alternatives/snacks, channels including online and specialty retail.

• Understanding which segment grows fastest will help allocate R&D, marketing and investment.

Conclusion
Segmentation matters. With a market forecasted to grow strongly, brands and suppliers need to lean into where the growth is—not all segments grow equally. The winners will be those who smartly align product type, application and channel with consumer demand.