Indian Chickpeas Edge Higher on Firm Mandi Rates and Tight Nearby Supply

Indian chickpeas (Kabuli) are trading slightly firmer, with export-grade offers from Rajkot and New Delhi inching up in line with steady-to-strong mandi prices and tight nearby supply in key growing states. Export markets are watching India closely as domestic wholesale Kabuli prices across mandis remain elevated, supported by limited arrivals and healthy festival-season demand. National mandi data point to a firm but choppy range, while localized markets in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh show a wide spread between low- and top-grade Kabuli. With no fresh policy shocks on pulses and only normal late-monsoon showers expected in major chickpea belts, traders are focused on spot availability and quality premiums rather than macro shocks.

Prices

FOB export indications for Indian chickpeas remain firm. In Rajkot, India-origin Chickpeas dried are quoted at 0.97 EUR/kg FOB, up from 0.96 EUR/kg on 20 September 2026. New Delhi FOB levels for Kabuli chickpeas are broadly steady across sizes, with recent quotations for 42–44 count at 0.97 EUR/kg FOB, 44–46 count at 0.94 EUR/kg FOB, 46–48 count at 0.91 EUR/kg FOB, 58–60 count at 0.90 EUR/kg FOB and 60–62 count at 0.85 EUR/kg FOB.

Domestic wholesale mandi prices for Kabuli chana remain elevated. A nationwide snapshot on 22 September 2026 shows median Kabuli chana prices around the mid-₹7,000s per quintal, with individual mandis ranging roughly between the mid-₹5,000s and low-₹8,000s per quintal, highlighting strong premiums for larger, cleaner lots.

Supply & Demand

Indian Kabuli supply in spot markets is relatively tight, with limited arrivals reported in Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh mandis and strong price dispersion by grade. Recent data from Gujarat APMCs such as Porbandar, Rajula and Junagadh suggest that better-quality Kabuli lots are transacting near the top of the local range, reflecting robust export and domestic demand.

Nationally, mandi averages for Kabuli chana have hovered in the low-to-mid ₹7,000s per quintal in recent days, confirming a firm undertone compared with earlier in the month, even if some indices show short-term volatility and methodological differences. Independent aggregators tracking Agmarknet data report median Kabuli chana values around ₹7,600–₹7,700 per quintal as of 22 September 2026, aligning with continued strong consumer and processing demand.

Weather & Crop Outlook (India)

Chickpeas in India are primarily sown in the rabi season, starting after the southwest monsoon withdrawal. Current focus is on residual soil moisture and late monsoon behaviour in key producing states such as Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Rajasthan. Short-range weather updates for central and western India indicate mostly normal late-September conditions without any imminent, extreme rainfall threat over core chickpea belts.

This pattern supports adequate soil moisture for the upcoming sowing window while reducing the risk of waterlogging or disease outbreaks in pulse areas. With no significant weather shock on the horizon, the near-term production sentiment is neutral, and price action is being driven more by existing stock levels and demand than by immediate crop concerns.

Fundamentals & Drivers

• Firm domestic baseline: Nationwide mandi averages in the low-to-mid ₹7,000s per quintal and strong differentials for premium Kabuli lots underpin current FOB offers out of Rajkot and New Delhi.
• Policy backdrop stable: No new central government notifications in the last few days specifically targeting chickpea imports or exports, so traders are operating under existing pulse policies and tariff structures.
• Competition from other pulses: Earlier changes in pea import duties and broader pulse trade policy continue to influence substitution between yellow peas and chickpeas, but there have been no very recent shifts, keeping the competitive landscape broadly unchanged in late September.

Short-Term Trading Outlook

• Export buyers: Expect Indian FOB Kabuli offers to stay firm over the next few days, especially for larger counts (42–46). Consider covering nearby needs promptly while negotiating basis against domestic mandi indicators rather than waiting for a pullback.
• Indian sellers: With Rajkot FOB already edging up and Gujarat/Madhya Pradesh mandis still well supported, there is room to maintain or slightly raise offers for premium grades, while remaining flexible on smaller sizes where demand is more price-sensitive.
• Importers relying on India: Given the absence of fresh policy shocks and a neutral weather outlook, near-term downside in Indian export prices appears limited; diversify coverage windows but avoid overextending on long positions until clearer signals on rabi sowing emerge.

3‑Day Directional View (India-focused)

• Rajkot (FOB, IN origin): Bias slightly upward as domestic mandi prices in Gujarat remain firm and export interest is active.
• New Delhi (FOB, IN origin): Largely steady to mildly firmer across Kabuli sizes, tracking national mandi averages and stable fundamentals.
• Interior mandis (Gujarat, MP, Maharashtra): Sideways to firm, with top-quality Kabuli continuing to command a noticeable premium over average lots.