Chana commodity prices on Agriwatch are updated regularly based on the latest available mandi and market data.
Chana, also known as Gram, Chickpeas, or Bengal Gram, is one of the most widely cultivated and consumed pulse crops in India. It is a Rabi-season legume, sown after the harvest of Kharif crops and harvested from February onwards. Chana is valued for its high protein and fibre content and is consumed in multiple forms, including whole grain, split dal, and flour (besan). Its versatility makes it a staple across Indian households and food-processing industries.
Because of its widespread use and affordability, movements in the chana market price are closely tracked by farmers, traders, processors, and institutional buyers. Among pulses, Chana is often regarded as one of the most price-sensitive commodities, with demand remaining resilient across income segments.
Botanical Name: Cicer arietinum
Family: Fabaceae (Leguminosae)
Chana is traded across India under several regional names such as Chola, Harbhara, Kadale, and Kondaikkadalai. These regional identities influence mandi-level trade, where chana mandi rate and quality-linked pricing can vary across markets.
India is the largest producer of Chana globally, with average annual production ranging between 9.2 and 9.5 million metric tons. Other major producing countries include Australia, Turkey, Myanmar, Russia, and Ethiopia. Despite strong domestic production, consumption growth has led to periodic import dependence and fluctuations in the chana mandi price.
Chana is cultivated across most parts of India, with Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Telangana being the leading producing states. Regional production patterns and quality differentials play an important role in shaping the chana mandi rate today and broader market sentiment.
As a Rabi crop, Chana depends heavily on residual soil moisture from the monsoon season. The crop is sensitive to frost during January and to unseasonal rains or hailstorms during February and March. Such climatic disruptions can affect yields and lead to fluctuations in the chana market rate and wholesale prices.
Quality parameters such as grain size, colour, and moisture content also influence price discovery in major mandis, impacting bengal gram market price levels.
India primarily produces two types of Chana:
Desi Chana (Bengal Gram)
Kabuli Chana (Safed Chana / Chickpeas)
Desi Chana dominates domestic consumption and trade, while Kabuli Chana has a stronger presence in export and premium retail segments. These distinctions influence bengal gram mandi rates and wholesale price spreads across markets.
Chana consumption in India has been growing steadily, supported by rising awareness of plant-based protein and increasing per capita income and relatively steady chana mandi price. Estimated annual consumption is around 10.2 million metric tons, creating a demand-supply gap that is bridged through imports from Australia, Myanmar, and parts of Africa.
Import volumes and landed costs influence chana market rate today and domestic price trends, particularly during years of lower production.
Chana is typically sown between October and November and harvested from February to March. Early sowing can lead to harvesting from mid-January in some regions. Peak arrivals are generally observed during March and April, while the lean season begins from July onwards.
Prices often firm up just before harvest due to limited arrivals and strengthen again during periods of festive demand and seed procurement. As new crop arrivals increase, chana mandi price today and wholesale rates usually soften due to improved supply.
For market participants, tracking chana wholesale price and related mandi trends is essential for procurement planning and inventory management. Chana remains a strategically important pulse commodity, influencing food inflation, farmer income, and trade policy decisions in India’s agricultural economy.