Chickpeas: supply squeeze to turn worse

Mundus Agri. Chickpeas supplies are tight, and with sowing about to start in India, the situation is getting worse.

Tight supplies

The acute shortage of chickpeas and the reliance of the market on costly imports are driving up prices. Traders, however, reckon that things will turn worse as there are still four months before the new crop arrives and prices are high in Canada and Australia. As chickpea production has ranged on a low level of 1.4-1.5 million mt in the past two years, there are no stocks in the pipeline, and only small volumes remain in the local markets. Most traders have been selling at a profit.

High prices

Imports are difficult as deals are being put off due to costs simply being too high in the international market. With sowing starting in December, demand for seeds has also started to rise. Prices will, therefore, most certainly continue to go up in India and in Mexico. Yet, there is no improvement in sight.