Latest Market Overview of Domestic & Overseas Chickpeas

The global chickpea markets in recent weeks have not been affected much by the latest production estimates from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES).This is because of higher expectations of the Australian crop.

The report indicates output jumping from 281,000 metric tons (MT) in 2019 to 755,000 last year, up from November's estimate of 737,000 MT. Australia grows mainly Desi type chickpeas, and there is relatively good buying interest from Pakistan.

Australian exporters have reported increased buying interest from Pakistan as the yield prospects for that country's Rabi season pulse crops has reduced on account of dry conditions affected. Australian shipments of chickpeas in December have increased significantly over November month. According to data from Australia Bureau of Statistics, Australia has exported 113,252 metric tons (MT) in December, up 82% month on month.

On the other hand export sales are running down for Russian chickpeas when compared with the previous calendar year. The available statistics from Federal Customs Service of Russia have pointed that chickpea shipments from Russia have plungedversus November month. The export sales stood at 21,515 metric tons (MT) during the month, down 58% from the 50,700 MT exported in November 2020. Export sales stood at 328,438 MT, versus 409,556 in the same period the last calendar year. India was the major buyer from Russia in December 2020, purchasing 13,869 MT. Turkey was the second most important buyer taking 3,054 MT, followed by Pakistan at 2,702 MT.

Meanwhile the estimates related to Canadian chickpea supply and demand are still in doubt with most of the industry persons are of the view that Statistics Canada is under estimating the usage of Canada. The December 31 reports pointed out that there were 408,000 metric tons (MT) of chickpeas on hand in Canada, up sharply from 328,000 the same time the previous year.

On farm stocks increased from 309,000 to 380,000 MT, while the commercial inventory had advanced from 19,000 to 28,000 MT.Generally there is more confidence in context to the commercial inventory numbers because it is based on direct surveys of the companies. The survey results are more accurate when the geographic planting area is bigger. The survey of 8,000 farmers across Canada suggests that a small number of actual chickpea growers would have been included in the Statistics Canada estimates.

Indian chickpeas markets had maintained the upward price trend during the week ended recently. Prices could sustain higher mainly due to lower arrivals and steady offtake in the Chana dal product. In coming days approaching arrival season and reports of a better seeding paceshall be checking prices to move up. The inventory held by the government is reasonable enough to balance the consumption till the new season supply is available. There are estimations of yields to surpass their recent five year average because of ample moisture retained after the monsoon season.

Government’s planting data says that the planted area for chickpeas in India has increased from 10.731 million hectares at this time last year to a record 11.2 million. The average output for this year is estimated near to 11.74 million MT, up from 11.35 million last year. Currently most of the stock lies with the government. The potential for a significant increase in Chana production may limit the possibility of any reduction in the import duties on peas, or relaxation of the tariff rate quotas, in near future.