Australian Chickpea Export Offer Prices Remain Relatively Stable

20-Apr-2026 06:31 PM

Brisbane. The bulk delivery price for Australian chickpeas—delivered to Brisbane—is currently hovering around $630 per tonne. This figure is roughly on par with, or just $5 higher than, the prevailing rates observed in mid-March.

According to trade analysts, current prices do not align with growers' expectations; consequently, producers lack any significant incentive to offload their existing stocks in haste. Similarly, there appears to be diminished enthusiasm and interest regarding the sowing of the upcoming new crop.

Australian farmers currently hold substantial stocks of chickpeas; however, severe drought conditions—resulting from a significant rainfall deficit this year—have created a serious crisis in several key producing regions. This situation raises concerns that future production levels in the country may decline.

Growers remain optimistic that prices for *Desi* chickpeas will firm up in the near future. Compounding the drought crisis, Australian chickpea growers are also grappling with a severe shortage of urea fertilizer, while diesel prices in the country have simultaneously surged.

This dual crisis involving urea and diesel has been triggered by the disruption of shipping routes through the Strait of Hormuz.

Chickpeas require deep sowing, a process that necessitates adequate soil moisture in the fields and also demands water availability for subsequent irrigation. However, with chickpea prices in the producing markets hovering at a mere $600 per tonne, farmers are reluctant to undertake deep sowing—a process that entails the use of costly diesel and fertilizers.

That said, there is still some time before the sowing season gains full momentum. In Australia, chickpea sowing typically gathers pace in late May and continues through early July. Should the region receive favorable rainfall during this interim period, the prospects for a successful chickpea sowing season could significantly improve.