India Chickpeas Market Overview, 2030

India stands as the world’s largest producer and consumer of chickpeas, contributing around 75% of global production, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Ministry of Agriculture. Chickpeas are cultivated predominantly as a rabi (winter) crop across key states like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. Sown in October and November after the monsoon retreat, the crop is harvested between February and April. Desi chickpeas form the bulk of cultivation, while Kabuli types are grown in smaller pockets for export and premium domestic demand. India’s National Agricultural Cooperative Marketing Federation (NAFED) plays a central role in procurement and buffer stock management. The government supports chickpea production through Minimum Support Prices (MSP), input subsidies for seeds and fertilizers, and procurement initiatives under the Price Support Scheme (PSS). In years of production shortfall or poor-quality yield, India imports Kabuli chickpeas from Mexico, Turkey, and Australia, primarily for use in premium food applications. Chickpeas are deeply embedded in Indian dietary and cultural life, being used in daily meals, mid-day meal programs, temple offerings, and community kitchens. The affordability and protein value of chickpeas make them a staple food across income groups. Domestic consumption drives market demand and pricing remains sensitive to mandi arrivals, weather, and government procurement levels. Certifications for domestic and export markets include FSSAI for food safety, AGMARK for quality grading, APEDA for agri-export compliance, Jaivik Bharat for organic certification, Halal certification for Muslim consumer markets, and BRCGS for international retail exports. India’s chickpea industry involves large-scale unorganized trade in rural mandis, supported by a growing number of organized brands like Tata Sampann, Fortune, and Patanjali. Chickpeas also play a role in government nutrition schemes like PM POSHAN and Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), further underlining their socio-economic significance in the country.

According to the research report ""India Chickpeas Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the India Chickpeas market is anticipated to grow at more than 5.66% CAGR from 2025 to 2030. India cultivates over 10 million hectares of land under chickpeas annually, with production volumes ranging between 11 to 13 million metric tons depending on monsoon patterns and post-sowing weather conditions. According to the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Madhya Pradesh holds the largest acreage share, followed by Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Karnataka. In 2023, chickpea production reached approximately 13.5 million metric tons, as per the Third Advance Estimates. The domestic supply chain is heavily mandi-centric, with major markets operating in Indore (MP), Latur (MH), Jaipur (RJ), and Hoshangabad (MP). Prices in primary mandis generally fall between ₹4,000 to ₹6,000 per quintal for Desi varieties, influenced by MSP rates, procurement volumes, and seasonal arrivals. The MSP for chickpeas (Gram) for the 2024–25 season was ₹5,440 per quintal, announced by the Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices (CACP). Despite MSP, market arrivals often cause prices to dip below support rates, prompting government procurement through NAFED and state cooperatives. The supply chain involves primary aggregators, local commission agents (arhtiyas), millers, and packers, with significant distribution through wholesale mandis and retail networks. For Kabuli chickpeas, supply remains dependent on imports due to limited domestic acreage. These are sourced from Mexico, Canada, and Turkey, and distributed through importers in Mumbai, Mundra, and Kandla ports. Retail prices for Kabuli range from ₹90 to ₹160/kg based on size and grade, while Desi varieties retail between ₹50 to ₹70/kg depending on milling, polishing, and packaging. Post-harvest losses are minimized using mechanized threshing, warehousing, and fumigation support provided by warehousing corporations like CWC and SWC. Several agri-tech startups like DeHaat, Gram Unnati, and NinjaCart are also optimizing supply chains with farmgate aggregation and market linkage services.

In India, Desi chickpeas dominate the chickpea market, accounting for over 90% of the total domestic production. Desi varieties are small, angular, and darker in color, with rough coats and high fiber content. They are primarily grown in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, and Uttar Pradesh. These are processed into chana dal and besan, used in Indian households and the snack industry. According to APEDA and Ministry of Agriculture data, India produced over 13 million metric tons of Desi chickpeas in 2023. Various local seed types such as JG-11, JAKI-9218, and RVG-202 are commonly used, developed by IIPR (Indian Institute of Pulses Research) and state agriculture universities. In contrast, Kabuli chickpeas, known for their larger size, round shape, and white coat, represent less than 10% of India’s chickpea cultivation. India imports Kabuli mainly from Mexico, Canada, and Turkey, as domestic varieties such as KAK-2 and BG-1053 have lower yield potential and smaller size compared to imported ones. India’s own production of Kabuli chickpeas is mostly confined to Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and parts of Karnataka. Imported Kabuli chickpeas, especially the 42/44 and 58/60 size grades, are preferred for export-oriented processing and premium food applications. Domestic consumption of Kabuli is concentrated in urban markets like Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru. Desi chickpeas are more widely distributed and consumed across both rural and urban segments. Kabuli chickpeas are priced significantly higher due to limited production, size grading, and import duties. While Desi chickpeas are sold whole, split (dal), or powdered (besan), Kabuli chickpeas are mostly sold whole, canned, or in ready-to-eat salad or hummus packs. Despite India's dominance in Desi chickpeas, demand for Kabuli continues to grow due to shifting urban preferences, export orders, and product diversification in FMCG and HoReCa sectors.

In India, whole chickpeas and split chickpeas (chana dal) are the most common forms consumed and traded, with Desi varieties dominating these categories. Whole Desi chickpeas are widely used for traditional dishes and snacks, especially in rural and semi-urban regions, and are sold in both raw and roasted formats. Chana dal, produced by splitting and polishing Desi chickpeas, is a staple in Indian households, with massive demand in retail, foodservice, and processed foods. Flour from Desi chickpeas, called besan, plays a major role in India's packaged food industry. It is used in making snacks like bhujia, pakoras, sev, and sweets like ladoos and barfi. According to Ministry of Agriculture and Food Processing data, more than 30% of India's Desi chickpeas are processed into flour annually. The besan segment is dominated by organized players like Fortune, Tata Sampann, and regional mills. The market also sees strong B2B demand from snack manufacturers and ready-to-mix brands. On the Kabuli side, whole chickpeas are preferred for salads, chole, and hummus, particularly in metro cities. Demand for canned chickpeas is niche but growing, mostly in modern trade stores and among health-conscious or working-class urban consumers. Canned Kabuli chickpeas are primarily imported from Turkey, Italy, and Spain, though Indian brands like Del Monte and local private labels have started offering canned options. Split Kabuli chickpeas are rarely found in the domestic market due to limited volumes and low processing. Dry storage and loose bulk sales dominate the traditional retail format, while packaged chickpeas and flour are increasing their share in online and modern retail channels. Product form is closely tied to processing infrastructure, regional preferences, and price sensitivity. Flour is favored in western and northern states, while whole and split forms are more popular in central and southern India. Shelf-ready formats like canned and vacuum-packed chickpeas remain under-penetrated but show traction in Tier 1 cities.

In India, chickpeas are largely consumed in the food and beverage sector, accounting for over 95% of domestic usage. The bulk of demand stems from household consumption, restaurant services, and traditional snack manufacturing. Desi chickpeas, either whole or split (chana dal), are used in everyday cooking across Indian cuisines, especially for dishes like chana masala, dal, and various curries. Kabuli chickpeas are common in dishes like chole, salads, and Middle Eastern recipes. Besan (chickpea flour) finds major usage in snacks such as pakoras, sev, and bhujia, and is a base for many traditional sweets. Brands like Haldiram’s, Bikanervala, and Bikaji procure chickpeas in bulk to produce ready-to-eat or packaged snack items, making the food processing sector a strong B2B consumer. In recent years, chickpeas have found application in health foods and plant-based protein alternatives. Food startups and FMCG companies are experimenting with chickpea-based pasta, cookies, nutrition bars, and gluten-free bakery products due to its high protein and fiber content. In the animal feed sector, chickpeas play a very limited role. Only rejected or low-quality pulses, often unfit for human consumption, are redirected to cattle and poultry feed industries. Their high cost compared to other feed grains like maize, soy, or millets makes chickpeas uneconomical for mainstream feed use. The others application segment includes seed multiplication programs, exports for food aid, and minimal use in natural fertilizers or green manuring practices in sustainable farming. Government procurement under schemes like NFSA (National Food Security Act) and distribution via Public Distribution System (PDS) is also a significant channel, especially in states like Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh. Institutions like schools, prisons, and army kitchens are also large-volume users under centrally sponsored meal schemes like the Mid-Day Meal program.

In the B2B channel, bulk buyers include flour millers, snack producers, pulse processors, hotels, and institutional kitchens that source raw or semi-processed chickpeas either directly from farm cooperatives or through agriculture mandis and commission agents. Major trading hubs include Chandan Nagar Mandi in Indore, Akola and Latur mandis in Maharashtra, Guntur in Andhra Pradesh, Sikar and Nagaur in Rajasthan, and Narela Mandi in Delhi, where daily volumes fluctuate based on regional crop arrivals and trader negotiations. Millers and processors look for moisture content, grain size, and variety (Kabuli or Desi) as per application Desi is preferred for flour and dals, while Kabuli serves snack and export markets. B2C channels span modern trade, local kirana shops, wet markets, and e-commerce platforms like BigBasket, Blinkit, Amazon Pantry, JioMart, and D-Mart, which cater to households across metro and Tier-2 cities. Consumers in urban areas prefer packaged chickpeas with certification tags like pesticide-free, organic, and polished, while semi-urban and rural buyers still choose loose pulses sold by weight, focusing on price and grain yield. Brands like Tata Sampann, 24 Mantra, Organic Tattva, and Fortune Pulse retail multiple pack sizes, with regional variants highlighted on packaging. FMCG brands convert chickpeas into roasted snacks, protein bars, and instant curry mixes under labels such as Haldiram’s, Bikano, and Paper Boat, aligning with the growing health and convenience food trend. Promotions for chickpea-based products increase around festivals like Diwali, Navratri, and Ramadan when demand spikes due to traditional consumption patterns. Retailers bundle combo packs or run offers to increase uptake. Show more