Key Points
- Chana prices have fallen by more than 10% since September due to imports from Australia and Africa.
- Australia’s bumper crop and slow sowing in India are affecting market prices.
- Australian chana is priced at ₹7,200-7,300, while chana from Tanzania is priced at ₹6,500-6,600.
- The Indian government has removed the import duty on pulses to help stabilize prices.
- Though sowing is slower than last year, more imports from Australia are expected.
Looma News
The price of chana (desi chickpea) has dropped recently, mainly due to large imports from Australia and the start of sowing season in India. Prices, which peaked above ₹8,000 per quintal in early September, have now fallen by over 10%, and are around ₹7,200 in key markets like Delhi and Mumbai. This drop is due to a good harvest in Australia and imports from Africa.
With large companies like Grain Corp and Viterra shipping Australian chana to India, the supply has increased. Rahul Chauhan of IGrain India noted that forward trading of Australian chana is happening quickly, with the quality of the crop being one of the best in a decade. From April to August, India imported about 75,000 tonnes of chana from Australia, and more shipments are expected in the coming months.
Along with Australian imports, pulses from Africa are also entering the Indian market, putting more pressure on prices. Imported chana from Australia is priced at ₹7,200-7,300 per quintal in Mumbai, while chana from Tanzania is priced at ₹6,500-6,600. Bimal Kothari, Chairman of the India Pulses and Grains Association, said Australian chana for November shipment is trading at ₹6,100-6,200, close to the minimum support price (MSP) of ₹5,650 per quintal.
Despite the price drop, sowing for the rabi season is slower than last year due to extended rains and higher soil moisture. While it’s still too early to predict how the delay will affect the market, expectations are high for continued imports, especially from Australia. To help maintain a steady supply and prevent price fluctuations, the Indian government has removed the 66% import duty on pulses during this high-demand period.
