Weekly Review - Chickpea (Chana)

New Delhi: Chickpea prices witnessed fluctuations during the current week as both buying and selling remained sluggish in the domestic market. Due to weak demand for split chickpeas (chana dal) and chickpea flour (besan), buying interest from pulse millers remained limited. However, the market showed some improvement towards the end of the week as inquiries from millers increased. On the other hand, arrivals of chickpeas in producing-region markets remained low, which kept selling pressure in the market contained. Furthermore, the high landed cost of imported chickpeas has rendered them uncompetitive in the domestic market, providing support to the prices of domestic chickpeas. Under the current circumstances, the limited domestic supply and the high cost of imports are positive factors for the market. Nevertheless, miller procurement remains relatively restricted due to the weak demand for chana dal and besan. If the interest from millers—seen towards the end of the week—persists and arrivals in producing markets remain low, the upward trend in chickpea prices could continue. The future direction of the market will largely depend on the demand for pulses and the buying activity of millers. Due to weak demand from pulse millers, chickpea prices in Delhi saw fluctuations of Rs 50 per quintal during the week; consequently, prices stood at Rs 7,425–7,450 per quintal for the Madhya Pradesh variety and Rs 7,475–7,500 per quintal for the Rajasthan variety.

The market for imported chickpeas experienced a decline during the week, driven by increased selling by importers alongside weakened buying interest. Due to weak buying interest, prices of imported chickpea (chana) declined by Rs 50 per quintal. By the end of the week, Tanzanian chickpea was priced at Rs 7,300 per quintal at Mumbai port, Australian chickpea at Rs 7,500 per quintal at Nhava Sheva port, and imported chickpea at Rs 7,450 per quintal at Mundra port.

With sluggish buying from pulse millers, chickpea prices in Rajasthan saw fluctuations (a net change of Rs 50 per quintal) this week. By the weekend, prices stood at Rs 6,000–7,050 per quintal in Jodhpur, Rs 7,550 in Jaipur, Rs 6,700–7,100 in Bikaner, Rs 6,700–7,000 in Kishangarh, and Rs 6,500–6,850 in Kota.

Due to weak demand, chickpea prices in Maharashtra fell by Rs 50–100 per quintal this week. By the weekend, prices were Rs 6,600–7,000 per quintal in Solapur, Rs 7,400–7,450 in Latur, Rs 7,650 in Akola, Rs 7,650 in Nagpur, and Rs 7,300–7,500 in Ahmednagar.

Owing to persistent weak demand, chickpea prices in Madhya Pradesh declined by Rs 50–100 per quintal this week. By the weekend, prices stood at Rs 6,700–7,000 per quintal in Ashoknagar, Rs 6,600–7,000 in Ganjbasoda, Rs 6,700–7,000 in Sagar, Rs 7,325–7,400 in Katni, and Rs 7,400–7,500 in Indore.

Due to the impact of a broad-based decline and weakened buying interest, prices for *chana* (gram) in Kanpur saw fluctuations—a mix of gains and losses—this week, ending at ₹7,550 per quintal. Similarly, *chana* prices in Raipur recorded a decline of ₹100 per quintal, with prices settling at ₹7,450–₹7,650 per quintal by the end of the week.

Due to persistent weak demand, prices for *chana dal* softened by ₹50–₹100 per quintal during the current week. By the weekend, prices stood at: ₹8,600–₹9,000 per quintal in Delhi, ₹9,050–₹9,250 in Bhatapara, ₹9,150 in Katni, ₹9,100–₹9,200 in Gulbarga, ₹9,250–₹9,700 in Jalgaon, ₹8,500 in Jaipur, and ₹8,550–₹8,600 in Kanpur.