Continued heavy imports from abroad are putting pressure on chickpea prices

19-Feb-2026 04:11 PM

Mumbai. Chickpea imports from Australia, Tanzania, and other countries continue unabated, while arrivals of the new domestic crop have also picked up in some markets. Chickpea imported from abroad are not overly expensive. According to the India Pulses and Grains Association (IPGA), a leading trade organization, approximately 350,000 tons of imported chickpeas are currently in stock at Indian ports, with three to four more ships carrying chickpeas scheduled to arrive.

Pulse millers are prioritizing the purchase of premium-quality imported chickpeas, as they improve the quality and reduce the risk of breakage. Imported chickpeas are also superior in color and size to Indian chickpeas, and sufficient stocks are available.

According to data from the Union Agriculture Ministry, the average wholesale market price of chickpea across India fell from ₹5621.66 per quintal on February 2 to ₹5396.47 per quintal on February 9, well below the government's minimum support price of ₹5875 per quintal for the 2025-26 season. According to the ministry, domestic chickpea production in the 2024-25 Rabi season was 11.114 million tons.

The area under chickpea cultivation increased by 5.45 percent from last year's 9.122 million hectares to 9.62 million hectares this year, while overall crop conditions are reported to be satisfactory. Consequently, production may improve somewhat.

The arrival of new chickpea has picked up pace in Karnataka markets, while supplies are also increasing in Maharashtra markets. In the coming weeks, other producing states, including Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Gujarat, will also see strong chickpea arrivals.