Australia's export of Desi gram (chickpeas) has seen significant growth in the 2023-24 marketing season, with a total of 7.89 lakh tonnes (789,000 tonnes) exported, marking a 17% increase compared to the previous season's 6.76 lakh tonnes. The period covered is from October 1, 2023, to September 30, 2024.
Key Export Destinations:
- Bangladesh was the largest importer, receiving 3.36 lakh tonnes.
- Pakistan followed with 1.67 lakh tonnes.
- United Arab Emirates (UAE) imported 1.41 lakh tonnes.
Other notable importers included:
- India: 45,275 tonnes in total, with a significant jump in imports after the country removed import duties on gram in May 2024.
- Canada: 15,518 tonnes.
- Nepal: 36,648 tonnes.
- United Kingdom: 14,497 tonnes.
Quarterly Exports Breakdown:
- October-December 2023: 2.26 lakh tonnes
- January-March 2024: 1.40 lakh tonnes
- April-June 2024: 3.66 lakh tonnes
- July-September 2024: Exports significantly slowed, with 13,000 tonnes in July, 16,000 tonnes in August, and 29,000 tonnes in September.
India's import of gram surged after the duty-free import policy was introduced in May 2024, with increasing monthly imports:
- April-June 2024: 7,878 tonnes
- July 2024: 8,642 tonnes
- August 2024: 7,787 tonnes
- September 2024: 13,089 tonnes
Given the demand and the policy shift, India's imports are expected to continue growing. Australia's role as a leading exporter, particularly to South Asia and the Middle East, remains strong, and the country's gram exports are likely to rise further in the coming months, especially with the ongoing harvest preparations for the 2024-25 season.