Case studies of importance of chickpea in two contrasting production systems of the Mediterranean basin are presented. In Algeria, where there is a very favourable market for kabuli type chickpea, the rate of increase in production is low because of low yields and low economic competitiveness of the crop at current yield level against other crops. Increased productivity through improved production practices and cultivars would improve the expansion of the crop in Algeria. In France, where production areas are limited and market demand for food is small, higher yields are obtained because of more favourable climatic conditions. There the crop can be promoted as animal feed to complement the protein requirement in animal rations, for which market demand is high.