Chickpeas Market: Indian Chana Softens Short Term, Structural Support Intact

Chickpeas prices are showing a short-term pause in India as dal mills buy cautiously, but structural tightness and firm FOB indications suggest limited downside and an ongoing medium-term bullish bias.

Spot trade in India’s pulses complex has turned more defensive, with mills scaling back purchases not only in urad and tur but also in chana, after recent price gains. Yet domestic wholesale data still show elevated kabuli and desi chickpea values across major mandis, while export quotations from India and Mexico remain firm. The market is delicately balanced between weak immediate offtake and expectations of constrained supplies, import costs and upcoming festive demand, leaving prices vulnerable to renewed strength once mill coverage and consumer buying resume.

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Prices

In the broader pulses complex, weak buying from dal mills in mid-October has weighed on sentiment, causing urad, tur and chana to ease in India’s domestic trade. This signals that after previous rallies, nearby chickpea demand at mill level has turned more selective, with buyers preferring hand-to-mouth coverage.

Despite this softer tone, export indications for chickpeas remain firm. In New Delhi, FOB prices for Indian-origin chickpeas on 10 October 2026 were quoted at EUR 1.02 for 42–44 count (12 mm), EUR 0.99 for 44–46 count (11 mm), EUR 0.96 for 46–48 count (10 mm), EUR 0.95 for 58–60 count (9 mm) and EUR 0.90 for 60–62 count (8 mm). In Rajkot, generic chickpeas were indicated at EUR 1.10 FOB on 6 October 2026, while Mexican-origin 42–44 count (12 mm) from Mexico City stood at EUR 1.23 FOB, with smaller 75–80 count (8 mm) at EUR 0.90 FOB.

Indian mandi data for 13 October 2026 show kabuli chickpeas trading at modal prices of about INR 9,200 per quintal in Jaora, INR 9,451 in Khandwa and INR 7,500 in Junagadh, underscoring still-elevated rupee values even as mills curb purchases. Domestic chana (desi) medians around INR 7,000 per quintal confirm that recent softness is modest relative to levels seen earlier in the year.

Supply & Demand

The immediate driver of the pulses and chickpeas complex is mill demand and inventory management. Processors, facing weaker near-term offtake and elevated stocks after prior restocking, are limiting purchases not only of urad and tur but also of chana. This has introduced a short-term ceiling on prices despite structurally tight conditions.

On the supply side, imported pulses and expectations of domestic arrivals are contributing to cautious buying. In urad, imported flows have already pressured quotes lower, and similar sentiment spills into chana as traders anticipate increased availability later in the season. However, kabuli chickpea mandis still report relatively high prices, and international offers from India and Mexico reinforce the perception of a globally snug balance.

Downstream demand is seasonally constructive. Festive consumption of chana dal and gram flour is strengthening across India, with retail reports pointing to roughly double-digit percentage increases in chickpea prices over the past month in some urban markets. While mills are briefly stepping back, consumer pull is expected to remain firm into Diwali and the wedding season, limiting how far origin prices can correct.

Fundamentals

Fundamentally, the current softness in chana resembles a consolidation after a strong run-up rather than the start of a deep bear phase. Domestic wholesale benchmarks for both desi and kabuli chickpeas remain elevated when viewed against medium-term history, and our own FOB benchmarks in New Delhi and Rajkot show a steady upward grind since late September, with multiple count sizes gaining EUR 0.02–0.04 per kg over three weeks.

The broader pulses complex is also characterised by lingering concerns about domestic crop performance and imported shipment schedules. Traders remain wary of supply-side risks: any delay in new-crop arrivals or disruption in import flows could quickly tighten availability, especially given the relatively low tolerance for stockouts in besan and dal value chains. External commentary highlights that tight global chickpea availability and higher import costs, including for Australian-origin cargoes, continue to underpin Indian prices, even if short-term futures and spot quotes occasionally pause.

Weather & Crop Outlook

Weather remains a key medium-term variable for the 2026/27 chickpea outlook. Soil moisture and late monsoon patterns in India will influence sowing decisions and early crop conditions for the rabi season. Market participants are closely monitoring rainfall distribution and temperatures through late October, as any moisture deficit during planting windows could constrain acreage and yield potential.

For now, the market is pricing a risk premium into forward values, reflected in firm FOB offers and elevated domestic kabuli mandis. A favourable weather pattern over the coming weeks could alleviate some of these concerns and cap further upside, whereas renewed dryness or excessive rains would likely re-ignite a supply-led rally in both desi and kabuli segments.

Trading Outlook

• Importers and crushers: Use current softness driven by weak mill buying to secure partial coverage in Indian-origin chickpeas, particularly in New Delhi FOB 9–12 mm sizes, where EUR prices have stabilised slightly above early-October levels. Avoid overextending coverage ahead of clearer signals on rabi sowing and weather.
• Domestic mills: Maintain cautious, hand-to-mouth procurement in the very short term while monitoring festive demand momentum. Consider gradually rebuilding stocks if spot kabuli mandi prices ease further toward regional medians or if export offers in Rajkot and Mexico signal renewed tightening.
• Producers and stockists: Given structurally firm fundamentals and tight global supply, retain a modest bullish bias into late Q4 2026. Price small parcels on rallies into strong domestic and export demand rather than reacting to short-lived soft patches created by mill destocking.

3‑Day Price Indication