Beans Market Tightens as India’s Rajma Chitra Faces Dual Supply Squeeze

Spot Rajma Chitra prices in India are set to remain firm through October as a sharply smaller Maharashtra crop collides with higher-priced Chinese imports, tightening near-term availability. Some relief is likely from November–December once Chinese new crop and Indian-Brazilian beans reach the market, but downside appears limited as long as drought stress in key belts persists. The bean complex is being driven by India’s broader pulse rally and acute regional weather stress. In western Maharashtra, production of Rajma Chitra around Pune–Satara–Wai–Khatav–Koregaon is reportedly dropping from a usual 1.25 lakh bags to only about 40,000 bags this season, while drought conditions in the Beed–Barsi belt are curbing Indian-Brazilian beans. At the same time, Chinese Rajma Chitra has become more expensive, while global beans and mung prices have been underpinned by India’s import demand and tight domestic pulse balance.

Prices

Chinese Rajma Chitra export offers for September–October shipment have risen from around $1,250 to $1,350 per tonne, eroding their traditional discount and keeping Indian buyers cautious. Domestic Rajma Chitra in India is expected to stay firm through October on spot shortages, with market participants only seeing meaningful pressure once Chinese new crop arrivals start landing from November–December.

Outside Rajma Chitra, latest FOB quotations in EUR indicate a broadly firm tone for Chinese-origin beans. As of 1 October 2026, Chinese organic mung beans (FOB Beijing) are at EUR 1.55, with conventional mung at EUR 1.48. Dark red kidney beans (non-organic, FOB Beijing) stand at EUR 1.44, while organic dark red kidney beans are quoted at EUR 1.54. Chinese black kidney beans are at EUR 1.02, and red adzuki beans (non-organic) at EUR 1.31, both FOB Beijing. Overall, these levels are at or slightly above mid-September, consistent with a supported Asian pulses complex.

Supply & Demand

On the domestic side, Maharashtra’s traditional Rajma Chitra belt around Pune, Satara, Wai, Khatav and Koregaon is facing a steep production drop, from around 1.25 lakh bags in a normal year to only 40,000 bags. Within this, the Varun variety is estimated at roughly 34,000–35,000 bags, while Rajma Chitra output could be just 5,000–6,000 bags. This creates a tight near-term balance, especially for quality lots.

Simultaneously, supply concerns are emerging for Indian-Brazilian beans from the Beed–Barsi region, where drought conditions and deficient rainfall are curbing planting and yield potential. Recent reports confirm that Marathwada — including Beed — has recorded rainfall around 50–71% of normal, prompting a drought declaration across much of Maharashtra and causing crop stress in soyabean, tur and moong. This weather pattern reinforces tighter domestic pulse and bean availability during the current marketing window.

On the import side, Chinese Rajma Chitra has become more expensive and less competitive versus Indian-Brazilian origin, with recent deals for September–October shipment not available below roughly $1,300–1,325 per tonne. As a result, many importers are reluctant to commit at these higher levels and are instead drawing down domestic inventories, which further supports spot prices ahead of new crop arrivals.

Fundamentals & Weather

Beans are trading within a broader Indian pulse rally, where key pulses such as chana, moong, tur and peas have risen 6–11% over the past month amid drought-like conditions and strong festive demand. This background keeps substitution demand for different beans high and limits consumer resistance to firm Rajma Chitra prices in the near term.

Weather fundamentals in Maharashtra remain the critical risk factor. The state has declared drought in most talukas, with Beed particularly affected by below-average rainfall and shrinking reservoir stocks. In the Beed–Barsi belt, prolonged dry spells have already damaged kharif crops and could reduce rabi pulse sowing if soil moisture and fodder conditions do not improve in October–November. For the next few weeks, the market will assume a conservative production outlook for both Rajma Chitra and Indian-Brazilian beans until clearer sowing and crop progress data emerge.

Outlook & Trading Recommendations

Market participants expect Rajma Chitra to remain firm, or even edge higher, during October as spot shortages and expensive imports dominate. From November–December, the arrival of Chinese new crop and Indian-Brazilian beans should add supply and introduce some downside pressure, particularly if quality is satisfactory and logistics remain smooth. However, as long as drought-related risks and elevated pulse prices persist in India, a deep correction appears unlikely.

• Importers (India): Cover near-term Rajma Chitra requirements selectively during October, prioritising Indian-Brazilian origin where available. Avoid over-committing to high-priced Chinese shipments before clearer indications of November–December arrivals and domestic rabi prospects.
• Exporters (China): Maintain firm offers on Rajma Chitra and other kidney beans but stay flexible on shipment periods and quality to remain competitive against Indian-Brazilian beans. Current FOB bean prices in EUR suggest scope for small further gains if Indian pulse tightness persists.
• End users & processors: Lock in a portion of Q4 bean needs now to hedge against potential further tightening in October, while keeping some open coverage to benefit from any softening once Chinese and Indian-Brazilian supplies normalize later in Q4.

3-Day Directional Outlook (Key Exchanges/Origins)

• India (wholesale Rajma Chitra): Mildly firmer bias over the next 3 days on low spot stocks and cautious importer selling.
• China FOB beans (Beijing): Steady to slightly firm for mung, kidney and adzuki beans as regional demand and India’s pulse rally underpin offers.
• Brazil/UK bean quotes (FOB): Largely steady in the very near term, with direction mainly driven by Indian buying interest and currency moves rather than immediate supply shocks.