Kabuli Chana Prices Likely To Rise, Follow Gains In Other Pulses

JAIPUR (Commoditiescontrol) - Following the uptrend in black gram, prices of the white chickpeas (Kabuli Chana or Dollar Chana) are also on the rise. White chickpea prices has increased Rs 500 per quintal in last 4-5 days. It will not be surprising at all, if prices add Rs 1,000 per quintal in near future. In fact, prices of all pulses are on the up-move currently, hence white chickpeas would find support from the prevailing market scenario.

Mr. Chetan Agrawal from Indore based Sri Govind Traders told that white chickpeas crop reduced 20 per cent this year compared to last year. Untimely rain has damaged the crop. However, farmers are showing escalated damage to get more compensation. He told that daily arrival of white chickpeas is around 30,000-40,000 bags in the markets of Madhya Pradesh. Around 45 per cent crop has arrived in the market. Carry over stock of white chickpeas was estimated at 2 lakh bags. According to Mr Agrawal, import feasibility for white chickpeas is very dim because of price rise in international market and recent uptrend in domestic market. Such trend will support black gram. Mr Agrawal expects white chickpeas to touch Rs 9,000 per quintal till next Diwali. Currently, white chickpeas is available at Rs 5,500-6,200 per quintal.

Mr. Rahul Vohra from Indore based Mahendra Kumar Prakash Chandra says that when Kanta Chana (black gram) is sold at Rs 4,800 per quintal, white chickpeas cannot be sold below this price. Rise in black gram prices have supported white chickpeas. Untimely rain has damaged quality so our export will be affected. Mr Vohra told that lower output and damaged quality will be main reason for shortage of good quality supply. As such white chickpeas price may increased by Rs 1,000 per quintal. Import feasibility for white chickpeas is very little because of price rise in international market.

This year, sowing of white chickpeas was lower in Rayalseema, Gulbarga, Raichur of Karnataka and Indore, Gwalior, Neemach, Ratlam, Sagar and other areas of Madhya Pradesh. Additionally, yield may also fall due to adverse weather in Madhya Pradesh. According to traders’ estimate, total output of white chickpeas may fall by 30-35 per cent and the production is expected to be 10 lakh tonnes. An importer told that white chickpeas production may reduce in Myanmar too. The acreage was also lower in Canada, Bulgaria and Ethiopia.

(By Commoditiescontrol Bureau; +91-22-61391533)