Rabi Pulses Update: Chana Sowing Slows, but Total Area Stays on Track

The chana cultivation trends this rabi season show a stable overall area despite delays. While chana sowing has faced setbacks due to weather conditions and a delayed kharif harvest, favorable monsoon effects are expected to keep the area consistent with last year’s levels.

Chana Cultivation Trends: Delays and Key Challenges

Farmers in states like Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra are sowing chana about a month later than usual due to recent rains and the late kharif harvest. Meanwhile, Gujarat has picked up the pace significantly, notes Satish Upadhyay, an International Agri Commodities Broker.

Government forecasts point to higher sowing this year, but many industry insiders believe the cultivated area will likely remain the same as last year. Sowing delays and a liquidity crunch in the pulses market are some of the hurdles farmers face.

Rising Imports Push Chana Prices Down

Heavy yellow pea imports, expected to hit 3 million tonnes by December, are putting pressure on chana prices. Over the last two months, chana prices have dropped more than 11%, from ₹8,000 to ₹7,000 per quintal. This translates to a decrease from USD 0,96 per kg to USD 0,84 per kg. Australian chana shipments scheduled for early 2025 are available at USD 0,65 per kg, adding further competition.

The availability of Bharat Dal, a low-cost government-distributed chana product, has reduced demand in the open market. Falling Australian pulse prices have further affected domestic producers.

Lentil Seeding Trends: Regional Variations and Market Demand

Farmers in Madhya Pradesh are reducing their lentil sowing due to disease issues last year, opting for wheat or chana instead. Meanwhile, farmers in Uttar Pradesh are slightly increasing their lentil cultivation, according to Harsha Rai, Vice President of Sales at Mayur Global Corporation.

Lentil demand remains high. From April to August, lentil imports fell 40%, dropping to 390,000 tonnes (3.9 million tonnes). This decline creates opportunities for domestic farmers. At the same time, the government holds significant red lentil stocks, and the market is watching closely to see how and when these stocks will be released.

Market Influencers for Chana and Lentils

Several factors will shape the market:

• Stable weather conditions to support late sowing.
• Government strategies for releasing lentil and chana stocks.
• Global pricing trends, especially for Australian pulses.

With private chana stocks at low levels, arrivals could take months to stabilize. Farmers remain cautiously optimistic about maintaining stable acreage and securing reasonable prices.

Advice for Stakeholders

Farmers should keep an eye on weather updates and focus on timely sowing to ensure good yields. Importers can consider exploring global opportunities but should remain cautious of price fluctuations. Buyers may find better deals by waiting until early 2025 when larger arrivals are expected to balance supply and demand.

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