India exports two types of chickpea. Kabuli chickpeas are large, round and cream coloured, used whole in salads, hummus and canned products. Desi chickpeas are smaller, angular and brown or black, and are usually split into chana dal or milled into gram flour (besan).
India is the world's largest producer of chickpeas and also a large consumer, so most of the crop stays at home. Exports are a smaller share, and the government has changed import and export policy for pulses at times.
Kabuli chickpeas
Kabuli is grown mainly in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Rajasthan, with some in Gujarat. It is a rabi crop, sown around October to November and harvested roughly February to April.
It is sold by size, measured in millimetres on sieves in the Indian trade, and by count per ounce in some markets. Bold sizes command the most interest. Large bold lots are commonly traded under names such as Mexican or bold kabuli, but names vary, so buy on measured size. See what size counts are used for kabuli chickpeas.
Desi chickpeas
Desi is the larger share of Indian production, grown widely in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka and Uttar Pradesh. Seed coats range from light brown to black.
Abroad, desi is bought mainly by South Asian food distributors and manufacturers. Common forms are whole desi chana, kala chana (black chickpea), chana dal (dehusked and split) and besan.
Quality points by type
- Kabuli: size grade, colour uniformity, wrinkled and damaged seeds, splits, foreign matter and moisture.
- Desi: colour, size, weevil damage, shrivelled seed and other grains.
- Chana dal: degree of dehusking, broken pieces, polish and any oil coating.
- Besan: particle size, moisture, colour, microbiology and adulteration with other pulse flours.
- All types: pesticide residues, insect damage, live insects and fumigation records. General checks are in the main quality checks for pulses.
Timing and policy
Arrivals peak after the rabi harvest, usually around March to May, which gives the widest choice of quality. Prices move with the size of the Indian crop, government buying and Indian import policy. Kabuli also competes with supply from other origins.
Pulses exports have been restricted in the past. Check the current DGFT position for your product and HS code before you contract.
For a first order, ask for samples from the current crop in the exact size grade you want, not a general sample. Approve the sample in writing, keep a sealed counter sample, and make the approved sample part of the contract. Inspect before loading against both the spec and that sample.
How we help
We source kabuli and desi chickpeas from processors with real grading and sorting lines, test samples at NABL-accredited labs and check size grades at loading. Ask for a free sourcing review.