Expectation of a recovery in chickpea prices next week; potential for a price surge due to sluggish sowing
New Delhi. Chickpea prices witnessed a downward trend this week, driven by increased selling—partly due to profit-booking at higher price levels—and subdued buying interest. Trading activity remained limited as most agricultural markets (*mandis*) were closed for the festive holidays. Market operations are expected to normalize starting next week. A potential recovery in demand from pulse millers could lead to a strengthening of chickpea prices. Arrivals of chickpeas in the producing-region markets remain virtually negligible. Meanwhile, a lack of soil moisture—a consequence of deficient rainfall—has slowed the pace of chickpea sowing for the current *Rabi* season. According to the Department of Agriculture, chickpea sowing across the country reached 31.13 lakh hectares by November 13, which is 8.57 lakh hectares less than the figure for the corresponding period last year. This significant decline in sowing data may fuel concerns regarding future chickpea production, which could, in turn, further reduce selling by stockists. Given the limited arrivals, weak selling pressure, and the anticipated improvement in demand from millers, chickpea prices could potentially see a renewed upward trend. Due to persistent, weak demand from pulse millers, chickpea prices in the Delhi market fell by Rs 50 per quintal this week; consequently, prices for 'Madhya Pradesh-origin' stock stood at Rs 7,700–7,725 per quintal, while 'Rajasthan-origin' stock was priced at Rs 7,750–7,775 per quintal.
Ports
The market for imported chickpeas also saw a decline this week, as increased selling by importers coincided with weaker buying interest. Due to weak buying interest, prices for imported chickpea (chana) declined by Rs 50 per quintal. By the end of the week, Tanzanian chickpea was priced at Rs 7,500 per quintal at Mumbai port, Australian chickpea at Rs 7,800 per quintal at Nhava Sheva port, and other imported chickpea at Rs 7,700 per quintal at Mundra port.
Rajasthan
Sluggish buying by pulse millers led to a decline of Rs 50–75 per quintal in chickpea prices in Rajasthan this week. Consequently, by the end of the week, prices stood at Rs 6,100–7,200 per quintal in Jodhpur, Rs 7,775 in Jaipur, Rs 7,200–7,400 in Bikaner, Rs 7,200–7,300 in Kishangarh, and Rs 6,300–6,750 in Kota.
Maharashtra
Weak demand resulted in a decline of Rs 50–100 per quintal in chickpea prices across Maharashtra this week. By the week's end, prices were Rs 7,000–8,000 per quintal in Solapur, Rs 7,500–7,800 in Latur, Rs 7,850–7,875 in Akola, Rs 7,850–7,900 in Nagpur, and Rs 7,400–7,600 in Ahmednagar.
Madhya Pradesh
Due to persistent weak demand, chickpea prices in Madhya Pradesh saw a decline of Rs 50–100 per quintal this week. By the end of the week, prices stood at Rs 7,000–7,400 per quintal in Ashoknagar, Ganjbasoda, and Sagar; Rs 7,525–7,600 in Katni; and Rs 7,600–7,750 in Indore.
Others
Due to a broad-based decline and weakened buying interest, prices of *chana* (gram) in Kanpur saw a drop of Rs 100 per quintal this week, settling at Rs 7,800 per quintal by the weekend. Similarly, *chana* prices in Raipur fell by Rs 100 per quintal, ending the week at Rs 7,750–7,900 per quintal.
*Chana Dal* (Split Gram)
Amid persistent weak demand, prices of *chana dal* softened by Rs 50–100 per quintal during the current week. By the weekend, prices stood at Rs 8,975–9,325 per quintal in Delhi, Rs 9,400–9,500 in Bhatapara, Rs 9,350 in Katni, Rs 9,200–9,300 in Gulbarga, Rs 9,400–10,000 in Jalgaon, Rs 8,850 in Jaipur, and Rs 8,700–8,750 in Kanpur.
