Indian Chickpea Prices Edge Higher as Heatwave Looms Over North India

Indian chickpea export prices from New Delhi are edging moderately higher, supported by active state procurement and firm overseas demand, while upside remains capped by steady import competition and comfortable near-term availability.

The market is in a narrow but gently rising range: New Delhi FOB values for Indian chickpeas have gained around EUR 0.01–0.03/kg over the past week across key Kabuli sizes, with FCA offers showing slightly stronger week‑on‑week moves, suggesting improved exporter appetite and some tightening in free supplies. State procurement at Minimum Support Price (MSP) is underpinning the floor, while imported Australian and East African chickpeas keep export parity in check. At the same time, an intensifying heatwave across North India raises some forward‑looking concerns for late‑harvest handling and for the coming kharif pulse cycle, though it is not yet a concrete bullish driver for the current crop.

📈 Prices & Spreads

All prices converted to EUR at an indicative 1 USD = 0.93 EUR.

Origin	Location	Grade (count)	Term	Latest price (EUR/kg)	WoW change (EUR/kg)
India	New Delhi	60–62, 8 mm	FOB	~0.81	+0.01
India	New Delhi	58–60, 9 mm	FOB	~0.87	+0.01
India	New Delhi	46–48, 10 mm	FOB	~0.87	+0.01
India	New Delhi	44–46, 11 mm	FOB	~0.91	+0.01
India	New Delhi	42–44, 12 mm	FOB	~0.94	+0.01

Recent trade commentary confirms that Indian chickpea prices are broadly steady to slightly firmer, with indicative FOB New Delhi offers tracking a sideways but mildly upward trend into late April, as government procurement and import competition set a lower and upper band for values. Global demand for chickpeas continues to expand in line with the broader plant‑protein trend, adding a structurally supportive backdrop for export‑oriented grades.

🌍 Supply, Demand & Policy Drivers

Indian chickpea supply near term is shaped more by policy than by weather. Expanded state procurement operations have widened into additional producing states, effectively raising a firm floor under farm‑gate prices even where open‑market levels remain under MSP. At the same time, Australian and Tanzanian chickpeas landed into India are price‑competitive, keeping a lid on any sharp rally in domestic and export markets.

On the demand side, international buyers continue to view Indian origin as attractive on quality and pricing, particularly for bulk Kabuli shipments to Europe and the Middle East, with recent market and trade commentary highlighting India’s role as a key hub for chickpea exports and plant‑protein ingredients. However, the presence of adequate port stocks and steady import parity implies that near‑term export demand is being met without visible tightness.

🌦️ Weather & Crop Outlook (India, focus North/Delhi)

The India Meteorological Department has issued successive heatwave alerts for the plains of Northwest, Central and East India, including Delhi and Haryana, with maximum temperatures projected in the 42–44°C range and up to a 5°C rise versus normal through around April 26. This follows an earlier statement of no significant rainfall systems over Northwest India in mid‑April, pointing to continued hot and dry conditions.

For chickpeas, the main rabi harvest is largely complete, so current heatwave conditions should have limited direct impact on yields. The greater relevance is for post‑harvest handling (on‑farm drying, storage, and transport) and for shaping farmer sentiment and soil‑moisture conditions ahead of the next pulse sowing cycle, particularly if the recently signalled risk of a below‑normal 2026 southwest monsoon were to materialise. At this stage, these factors are more watch‑points than active price drivers.

📊 Market Fundamentals & Risk Factors

• Policy floor: Ongoing state procurement below MSP levels provides downside protection for growers, limiting the scope for any sharp price correction in the near term.
• Import cap on rallies: Stable CAD&F offers from Australia and East Africa, together with existing port stocks, create an effective ceiling on domestic and export prices when FOB India approaches import parity.
• Structural demand growth: Global chickpea consumption is rising in line with plant‑based protein demand, with recent research projecting close to 7% annual growth in the global chickpea market through 2032.
• Weather risk premium (medium term): Intensifying heatwaves over North India now, and a below‑normal monsoon signal for 2026, could add a modest risk premium later if soil moisture and pulse sowings are affected, but this is not yet fully priced in.

📆 Trading Outlook (Next 2–4 Weeks)

• Export buyers (EU/MENA): Use the current sideways‑to‑firm band to secure nearby coverage while Indian FOB prices remain bracketed between MSP‑driven supply support and import‑parity resistance. Scale‑in buying on minor dips rather than waiting for a major correction, given supportive structural demand.
• Indian exporters: The modest uptick in FCA prices alongside firm FOB levels suggests some tightening in free supplies; consider locking in margins on forward inquiries where CAD&F competition still allows for acceptable spreads versus Australian and East African origins.
• Domestic users (millers, packers): With state procurement active and import offers capping rallies, near‑term spot risk is limited; focus on inventory optimisation rather than aggressive forward coverage, but reassess if monsoon outlook deteriorates further.

📉 3‑Day Price Direction (Region: India, New Delhi)

• New Delhi FOB chickpeas (all Kabuli counts): Bias: sideways to slightly firm. Heatwave conditions and active procurement keep sentiment firm, but strong import parity and adequate port stocks limit upside. Expect a narrow range with a mild upward tilt over the next three days.