New Delhi. Chickpea prices declined during the current week. Increasing selling pressure and weak buying pressure continued to weigh on prices. According to trade sources, the increasing arrival of new crops from producing states has influenced the market direction. The availability of fresh chickpeas has begun to increase in major markets in Karnataka and Maharashtra. Farmers are rapidly bringing their produce to the market after harvesting, leading to an increase in daily arrivals. In response to the increasing supply, stockists and importers have also intensified their selling. The rush to clear old stocks has further increased supply in the market, leading to a softening trend in prices. Traders say that the current market demand situation is not encouraging. Consumption of chickpea dal and gram flour remains lower than expected. Wholesale offtake is limited, and retail demand is also reported to be weaker than normal. Consequently, buying by chickpea millers has slowed. Millers are buying only as needed and are not building large stocks. Market analysts believe that unless there is a substantial improvement in demand or increased government procurement activity, a significant rally in the chickpea market is unlikely. If supply pressure from producing states continues in the coming weeks, prices may soften further. Due to subdued buying by pulse millers, Delhi chickpea prices fell by ₹75/100 per quintal this week, bringing the Madhya Pradesh line to ₹5600/5625 and Rajasthan line to ₹5650/5675 per quintal at the end of the week.

Due to increased selling pressure from importers and sluggish demand, imported chickpea prices declined by ₹125/175 per quintal this week. With this decline, prices for Mumbai, Tanzania, Nawashah, Australia, and Mundra fell to ₹5250 per quintal. Rajasthan

Due to weak buying, Rajasthan gram prices declined by Rs. 100 per quintal this week, and with this decline, the prices at the weekend stood at Rs. 4700/5150 in Jodhpur, Rs. 5675 in Jaipur, Rs. 5250/5300 in Bikaner, Rs. 4950/5000 in Kishangarh and Rs. 4500/5150 per quintal in Kota.

Due to sluggish demand from pulse millers, Maharashtra gram prices declined by Rs. 100/200 per quintal during the current week, and with this decline, the prices at the weekend stood at Rs. 5300/5700 in Solapur, Rs. 5800/5900 in Latur, Rs. 5750/5775 in Akola, Rs. 5750/5800 in Nagpur and Rs. 5500/5700 per quintal in Ahmednagar.

Due to continued sluggish demand, prices of Madhya Pradesh gram declined by ₹150/₹300 per quintal this week, bringing the prices to ₹5200/₹5400 for Ashoknagar, ₹5200/₹5400 for Ganjbasoda, ₹4800/₹5300 for Sagar, ₹5000/₹5400 for Katni, and ₹5400/₹5600 for Indore.

Due to the widespread decline and sluggish demand, Kanpur gram prices declined by ₹125 per quintal during the current week, bringing the prices to ₹5700/₹5725 per quintal. Similarly, Raipur gram prices also declined by ₹100 per quintal this week, reaching ₹5450/₹5650 per quintal.

Due to the fall in the price of Chana and weak demand, the prices of Chana Dal declined by Rs 100/200 per quintal during the current week and with this decline, the prices at the weekend stood at Delhi Rs 6500/6750, Bhatapara Rs 6800/6900, Katni Rs 6900, Gulbarga Rs 6400/6500, Jalgaon Rs 6750/7100, Indore Rs 6700, Jaipur Rs 6525 and Kanpur Rs 6500/6550 per quintal.