Advice to Avoid Panic Buying of Gram
16-Jun-2026 11:59 AM
New Delhi: Gram traders and importers have breathed a sigh of relief after the clouds of confusion surrounding *desi* gram (Bengal gram/chickpea) were cleared, thanks to the tireless efforts of Pradeep Jindal—Senior Vice President of the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) and President of the Pulses and Beans Grain Association of India—along with the cooperation of Praveen Khandelwal, the Secretary of the Department of Consumer Affairs, and other stakeholders. Traders have expressed their gratitude to Pradeep Jindal for this outcome.
In reality, *desi* gram, chickpea, and Bengal gram are the same commodity, whereas Kabuli gram is distinct. However, the government had created a third category for it—a classification that has no actual existence. This misconception was later rectified.
The government resolved all doubts by withdrawing the consultative letters (numbered 1607 to 1738) issued by Customs. The earlier notices had proposed an import duty of up to 70 percent, whereas the applicable duty on gram is merely 10 percent.
A leading trade analyst notes that while there are concerns that the monsoon rainfall could be affected by El Niño this year—potentially impacting the sowing and yield of pulses in both the current Kharif and upcoming Rabi seasons—there is no immediate cause for panic or worry.
Government agencies like NAFED and NCCF hold record stocks of pulses. Government procurement of gram rose by 700 percent, reaching 21 lakh tonnes, compared to 3.00–3.50 lakh tonnes the previous year.
Meanwhile, although production in Australia is likely to decline, the majority of their output could potentially be imported into India. Additionally, imports from African nations such as Tanzania and Ethiopia will continue, and domestic production has also improved.
Gram prices have seen some recovery due to massive government procurement, though they still remain slightly below the Minimum Support Price (MSP). Under these circumstances, traders, stockists, and millers should currently refrain from panic buying of gram or building up massive stocks.