Chickpea Prices Remain High in Australia Despite Slight Easing

Brisbane. In Australia, the price for chickpeas (for delivery in Brisbane) surged to over $1,000 per tonne during the first fortnight of October. While it has since eased to around $980 per tonne, this remains approximately $90 per tonne higher than the prices seen during the second fortnight of September.

These elevated prices are a clear indicator of a decline in Australian chickpea production. With prices remaining so high during the harvest season, producers are securing attractive returns—a trend likely to continue. It is worth noting that Australia is the world’s leading exporter of *desi* (brown/small-seeded) chickpeas.

According to trade analysts, the situation regarding chickpea supply and availability in Australia is becoming complex, even as export demand continues to rise. Pakistan is purchasing aggressively, while importers in India and Bangladesh are also showing significant activity.

Several vessels have already been booked to transport chickpeas from the port of Brisbane in the coming weeks, with loading operations for some cargoes already underway. Reports indicate that unseasonal rainfall during the harvest period has affected the quality of the Australian crop, which may limit the stock of high-quality produce available for export.

Over the past fortnight, heavy torrential rains in the northern part of New South Wales and the southern region of Queensland—both major production hubs—have raised concerns about significant damage to the chickpea crop.