Chickpeas Market: Indian Chana Under Pressure While FOB Values Firm

Indian chickpea markets are caught between weak spot demand for chana in key mandis and firmer export quotations, as selective mill buying and government stock policies cap upside while seasonal consumption lends a floor. Indian pulse markets are currently characterised by mixed trading conditions. Subdued purchasing by dal mills is exerting pressure on chana alongside urad and tur, particularly in Delhi and other producing centres, even as seasonal consumption provides underlying support. Imported pulses show a divergent pattern: Myanmar urad and some African-origin tur have softened on cautious processor buying, while imported masoor is firming on reduced selling. In this context, chickpeas face a tug of war between softer domestic sentiment and relatively tight, better-supported segments such as masoor and stable moong.

Prices

Despite reports of weaker domestic chana quotations in Delhi and selected producing markets, FOB export offers for Indian chickpeas in New Delhi have edged higher through October. Larger calibres have led the move, indicating that export-oriented Kabuli demand remains more resilient than local mandi sentiment for desi chana.

This steady appreciation in FOB levels contrasts with more mixed domestic mandi indications, where all-India wholesale chickpea prices have hovered in a broadly stable to mildly firmer band in late October. Export buyers should note that the current FOB structure still offers a modest premium for larger-sized Indian chickpeas, while Mexican origin remains priced higher for the top calibre Kabuli segment.

Supply & Demand

Fundamentally, pulse demand remains seasonally supported by ongoing consumption, but buying patterns are uneven across the complex. Chana, urad and tur are seeing softer interest from dal mills, which has encouraged some domestic price pressure, while moong is broadly stable and imported masoor is buoyed by tighter farmer selling.

Government stock management and imported availability are critical swing factors for chickpeas. Continued sales from public reserves into the market, alongside arrivals of imported pulses, are tempering any sharp upside in chana even as festival-related and routine consumption underpin offtake. At the same time, recent data indicate that India’s chickpea imports over much of 2026 have been lower year-on-year, suggesting that domestic supply and stock releases are playing a larger role in balancing the market.

Fundamentals & Weather

Poorer demand from dal mills, especially in Delhi and selected producing regions, has weighed on local chana quotations, aligning with recent reports of only modest price gains in key wholesale markets. In contrast, the firmness in imported masoor highlights that not all pulses are experiencing the same degree of pressure, signalling a more commodity-specific adjustment rather than a broad collapse in demand.

Looking ahead, the chickpea balance sheet will hinge on rabi sowing progress and early weather during establishment in central and northern India. Late October typically brings mostly dry, seasonally cool conditions across key chana belts, which are favourable for field preparation and sowing provided residual soil moisture is adequate. Against the backdrop of a weaker recent monsoon in some areas, any further moisture deficits could limit acreage, partly offsetting the current demand softness and helping to stabilise prices into the new crop year.

Trading Outlook

• Buyers (importers and crushers): Use the current disconnect between softer domestic chana sentiment and firmer FOB offers to secure nearby coverage selectively, focusing on mid-sized counts (44-48) where the recent price increases have been moderate in EUR terms.
• Sellers (exporters and stockists): Maintain a disciplined selling pace. With government stock sales and imported availability capping rallies, scaling out of inventories into strength is preferable to aggressive forward selling.
• Dal mills and processors: Given weak spot demand signals, consider just-in-time purchasing strategies while monitoring any shift in government stock policies or rabi sowing news that could quickly change the tone of the chana market.

3-Day Directional View

• New Delhi FOB chickpeas (IN): Sideways to mildly firm; recent incremental gains suggest consolidation with an upward bias if export enquiries persist.
• Domestic Indian mandis (chana): Largely stable with a slight softening tendency where dal mill demand remains subdued, especially in Delhi and some producing centres.
• Mexican FOB chickpeas: Stable; maintaining a premium over Indian origin for large Kabuli sizes, with no immediate catalyst for sharp moves in the next few days.