Chickpea Prices Dependent on Imports and Domestic Demand

24-Mar-2026 08:49 PM

New Delhi: The second advance estimate released by the Union Ministry of Agriculture projects that chickpea production during the ongoing Rabi season of 2025-26 is likely to rise to 117.92 lakh tonnes—an increase of 6.78 lakh tonnes over the 111.14 lakh tonnes produced in the 2024-25 season.

While imports of chickpeas from countries such as Australia and Tanzania continue steadily, the domestic harvest has also begun to arrive rapidly in the markets. Government procurement of the crop has already commenced in states like Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh, whereas the procurement process is expected to begin shortly in top-producing states such as Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

The Ministry of Agriculture has estimated this year's domestic production of Masur (Lentils) at 17.33 lakh tonnes, surpassing last year's output of 16.54 lakh tonnes. For the 2025-26 season, the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for chickpeas has been fixed at ₹5,875 per quintal, while the MSP for Masur has been set at ₹7,000 per quintal.

Compared to the previous fiscal year, the pace of chickpea imports has slowed down during the current fiscal year; however, domestic demand currently remains somewhat subdued as well. Next month, once the influx of the new harvest intensifies, buying activity by dal millers/processors and traders/stockists is expected to pick up, alongside an acceleration in the pace of government procurement.

This year, authorization has been granted for the government procurement of approximately 22 lakh tonnes of chickpeas, sending a clear signal that the market will continue to receive consistent support.