Bangladesh Chickpea Rally Tightens South Asian Chana Balance

Bangladesh’s chickpea market is tightening as wholesale chana prices in Chattogram’s Khatunganj jump sharply on the back of higher import costs, firm Australian offers and concerns over availability ahead of Ramadan. At the same time, export quotes from India and Australia remain elevated, limiting scope for quick relief via cheaper imports. Bangladesh typically consumes around 10,000–12,000 tonnes of chana per month, but demand rises significantly in the Ramadan period, making today’s pre-Ramadan price surge particularly sensitive. In Khatunganj, wholesale prices have climbed by roughly 17–21 taka per kg over the last two months as traders respond to higher import costs and try to secure coverage. Consumer organisations are warning that stockholding and restricted selling could be amplifying the move just as households prepare for seasonal consumption.

Prices

Bangladesh’s wholesale chana prices in Chattogram’s Khatunganj market have risen by about 17–21 taka per kg over the past two months, signalling a clear pre-Ramadan rally driven by imported cost inflation and availability concerns. Despite higher import volumes in recent months, domestic prices have not eased, suggesting demand expectations and stocking behaviour are outweighing supply growth.

FOB offers for Indian chickpeas have firmed in October. In New Delhi, non-organic dried chickpeas for FOB loading are quoted at EUR 1.08/kg for 42–44 count (12 mm), EUR 1.05/kg for 44–46 count (11 mm) and EUR 1.02/kg for 46–48 count (10 mm). Smaller-size lots trade slightly lower, with 60–62 count (8 mm) around EUR 0.96/kg FOB. Mexican origin remains competitively priced, with 42–44 count (12 mm) at EUR 1.23/kg FOB Mexico City and 75–80 count (8 mm) at EUR 0.94/kg FOB Mexico City.

Supply & Demand

Bangladesh’s normal monthly chana consumption is estimated at 10,000–12,000 tonnes, but demand typically spikes during Ramadan, when pulse-based foods are central to iftar and household diets. With Ramadan ahead, traders are building coverage and closely tracking the pace and cost of imports, especially from Australia and India. Australia remains a key supplier, historically accounting for the bulk of Bangladesh’s chickpea imports, so shifts in Australian desi chickpea availability and pricing have an outsized impact on the Bangladeshi market.

Recent data show Bangladesh imported significantly more chickpeas in July–August 2026 than in the same period a year earlier, yet prices continue to rise amid fears of an artificial shortage and restricted selling. At the same time, international offers for Australian desi chickpeas to South Asian buyers, including Bangladesh, have moved higher over September and early October, pushing up landed costs for Bangladeshi importers.

Fundamentals

International fundamentals are broadly supportive of firmer chickpea prices into late Q4. Reports from India highlight generally strong domestic chana values, with wholesale mandi prices for Kabuli chana recently trading comfortably above the government’s minimum support price, and market data indicating median mandi prices around the mid–₹8,000s per quintal in late October. Weak demand pockets in some Indian centres have led to short-term softness, but overall levels remain historically elevated.

On the export side, Australian desi chickpea offers have risen sharply in recent weeks on expectations of a smaller crop and robust buying from South Asian destinations, including Bangladesh and Pakistan. Offers to Bangladesh have moved into the low-USD 800s per tonne CNF range, materially above earlier weeks. These higher CNF values translate directly into increased landed costs and underpin the 17–21 taka/kg wholesale price rise now seen in Chattogram. With consumer groups alleging stockholding and controlled release of goods, local fundamentals appear tighter than import statistics alone would suggest.

Short-Term Outlook & Trading Ideas

Looking ahead to the pre-Ramadan buying window, the balance of risks for Bangladesh points to continued firmness rather than a quick reversal. Unless Australian or Indian export offers ease meaningfully, or domestic regulators succeed in curbing speculative stockholding, Khatunganj prices are likely to stay elevated as buyers secure supply for the festive demand spike.

• Importers in Bangladesh: Consider staggering purchases but avoid excessive delay in the hope of a pullback, as Australian and Indian offers remain firm and Ramadan-led demand is approaching.
• Exporters in India and Mexico: Current EUR-denominated FOB levels in New Delhi and Mexico City support a constructive sales program into South Asia; monitor any price-sensitive policy moves in Bangladesh, such as anti-hoarding measures.
• Food manufacturers and retailers: Lock in a portion of forward needs early, given the combination of higher CNF costs and reports of restricted selling in Bangladeshi wholesale markets.

3-Day Regional Price Indication

• Bangladesh (Khatunganj wholesale chana): Sideways to slightly firmer as traders test consumer resistance but still position for Ramadan demand.
• India (mandi chana, Kabuli and desi mixed): Mildly firm bias after recent consolidation, with prices broadly holding above support despite pockets of weaker demand.
• FOB India & Mexico (export-quality chickpeas): Stable to firm in EUR terms, with New Delhi and Mexico City FOB indications for key sizes holding near recent highs.