By,

Nikita Singh
Welingkar Institute of Management, Development & Research

Introduction:
Chana or Chickpea is a major pulse crop in the Indian subcontinent and several other countries.
Known for rich protein content, chana is used for making flour. Chana is broadly divided into
two categories Kabuli and Desi-- according to the colour, seed size and taste.
India is the leading producer and consumer of chana in the world. Major producing states are
Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Maharashtra.
A fragmented market with a very long value chain is the main characteristics of the present
chana market scenario in the country. Commission agents, brokers, wholesalers, flourmills and
retail outlets are the key players in the market.
Major producers in India and Crop Pattern: Chana is produced in MP, Rajasthan, UP,
Maharashtra, AP, Karnataka and Gujarat. Its sowing starts in October and lasts till December.
First arrival starts in Karnataka during Nov end while the last arrival in North Rajasthan is during
April. Most of the area for chana is rain-fed but irrigation facilities are also available in some
producing areas. Total annual consumption of India is nearly 50-55 lakh tons which fluctuates
with the price movement.
Delay monsoon effect on kharif crops: Bullish trend persist for Chana as a lower than expected
Monsoon rainfall prediction by the IMD kept sentiments up. Sowing of Kharif Pulses like Tur,
Urad and Moong are likely to get adversely affected. Higher imports and lower production
possibilities could lead to further firmness in prices.
Chana settled up as short covering at the lower levels supported the prices while favorable
reports on the Monsoon front prevented any strong upside movement. Rajasthan Govt imposing
stock limit on Pulses had a bearish impact as favorable Monsoon reports too kept trend weak.
Effective 7th July to 30th Nov, the limit for wholesalers is 2500 Q for 45 days and for retailers:
250 Q. However, above normal monsoon progress coupled with higher supplies of chana in the
domestic market capped further upside.

Statistics of chana: India- Acreage and Production

Normally chana accounts for around 40% of Indias total pulses crop production of 12-15 million
tons. Indian farmers have cultivated 146 lakh hectares pulse crops during the rabi season,out of
this chana acreage is near 85 lakh hectares. According to the govt data, country has imported
about 419 thousand tonnes of chana in 2014-15, which is more than 51.8 per cent higher than the
quantity imported in the entire previous year. Total import of chana in 2013-14 stood at 2.76 lakh

tonnes. As per 3rd Advance Estimates for 2014-15, Chana production is estimated at 7.59 against
8.28 million tons. Earlier Government has extended duty free imports of pulses including chana
till September 2015. Chana has sown 16 per cent less at 85.91 lakh hectares (lh), as compared to
last years 102.25 lh whereas area coverage under total pulses is at 145.92 lh while the last years
sowing area coverage was 162.21 lh. In Delhi spot market, chana dropped by -18.5 rupee to end
at 4350 rupee per 100 kgs.

Global Scenario / Import from:

Main countries of imports are Canada, Australia, Iran and Myanmar. Australia exports around
95% of its chickpea crop to countries like India, Bangladesh and UAE. In Australia, sowing of
Chickpea continues and it should be finished by end of June as per sources. Weather condition in
Australia is favorable therefore yields are likely to improve this year thereby making a decent
surplus for exporting to leading consuming like India. Harvest of Chickpeas in Australia
normally commences in September. Australian chickpea markets have firmed this year following
last years crop failure in India. Australia normally exports around 95% of its chickpea crop to
countries like India, Bangladesh and UAE.

USD/INR currency value: Depriciating Indian Rupee is making imports costlier.

Govt. Regulation: In order to keep prices for Pulses under check, the Govt has decided to extent
duty-free imports till Sept. Unseasonal rain in March brought a heavy loss to crops of pulses.
Center has asked, state governments, to control the domestic prices and take stringent action
against hoarders and boost supply. Meanwhile, all the warehouses registered with Warehouse
Development and Regulatory Authority (WDRA) exempted from the stock limits. There are
sufficient stocks available in the country due to nil import duty on chana since December.
Factor affecting Productivity and the Price trend :
Rainfall pattern and temperature
Total area covered
Arrivals in the markets
Demand from millers, stockists and retailers
Production in the International markets.
Production and trends of other pulses namely Urad and Tur in domestic and international markets
and price of Yellow Pea.
Import and export policies by the Indian Govt.
Price movement: Chana May contract is likely to trade bullish for both short term and intra day
with short term support at 3980 and resistance at 4200. Intra day support is seen at 4040 and
resistance at 4080.

Chana price may trade sideways to higher on concern over supplies and spurt in spot demand in
domestic market as new arrivals will only come in next Feb-Mar. Reports of slow monsoon
progress in chana growing states and revival of demand from traders and stockists for upcoming
festival season also support prices.

Reference:
http://www.commodityonline.com/news/ncdex-chana-short-term-bullish;-support-frommonsoon-report-62263-3-62264.html
http://www.investmentguruindia.com/StockMarket/soy-oil-futures-may-trade-sideways-onregular-to-weak-demand-in-domestic-market-angel-commodities-p

All the data collected including statistics are recent ones. Auguest 2015 data.