Key facts
- India exported US$778 million of pulses in FY2024-25 (apeda.gov.in).
- Largest destinations by value: Bangladesh 21.86%; UAE 11.10%; China 8.65%
- Market guides for 25 countries, each with destination requirements and transit times.
- Certifications available from the supply base: FSSAI licence, APEDA RCMC, Phytosanitary certificate, HACCP, ISO 22000 and more.
- Typical minimum order: One 20' container (about 22-25 MT) (typical).
Product overview
India is the world's largest chickpea producer and consumer. Kabuli (large, cream-coloured) chickpeas are grown mainly in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Rajasthan, and exported to the Middle East, North Africa and South/South-East Asia for hummus, falafel, chickpea snacks and canning. Total Indian pulses exports were US$ 778 million in FY2024-25 (APEDA), with Bangladesh, the UAE, China and the USA the leading destinations.
Kabuli chickpeas are traded by size, expressed as count per ounce (e.g. 42-44, 44-46, 58-60) or by millimetre screen (8, 9, 10, 12 mm). Larger sizes command a premium for canning and salads; smaller sizes go to milling, roasting and hummus.
The main hubs are the Indore and Latur dal-mill belts, where grain is machine-cleaned, sortexed, graded and packed. India also imports chickpeas in short-crop years, so availability and pricing depend on the domestic harvest (February-April).
HS note: Split desi chickpeas (chana dal) and besan (gram flour, 1106 10) are classified separately.
Specifications
| Size | 42-44, 44-46, 58-60, 60-62, 75-80 count per ounce or 8-12 mm screen (typical) |
|---|---|
| Moisture | ≤ 12-13% (typical) |
| Admixture / foreign matter | ≤ 0.5% (typical) |
| Damaged / weevilled | ≤ 1-2% (typical) |
| Splits | ≤ 1-2% (typical) |
| Processing | Machine cleaned, sortexed, double polished (typical) |
Typical commercial values. Final specifications are fixed per contract and verified by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Grades & variants
Bold 42-44 / 44-46 count
Premium canning and salad grade.
Medium 58-60 / 60-62 count
General retail and food service.
Small 75-80 count
Hummus, roasting and milling.
Desi chickpeas / chana dal
Small brown chickpeas and split dal for South Asian diaspora markets.
Packaging, MOQ & container loading
| Packing | Sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bulk | 25 kg and 50 kg PP or jute bags | Fumigated container |
| Retail | 500 g-5 kg pouches | Private label on request |
Container load (estimate): 20' GP about 22-25 MT bagged · 40' HC about 25-26 MT (weight-limited). Dense cargo
Customisation: Specified count size, retail packs, split desi chana / chana dal
Where we source in India
Producing regions and manufacturing clusters our supplier network draws from.
Madhya Pradesh
Indore, Dewas, Ujjain, Vidisha
Indore is the main kabuli trading and grading hub
Maharashtra
Latur, Akola, Jalna
Latur dal-mill belt
Karnataka
Kalaburagi, Vijayapura
Pulse milling
Market requirements by region
European Union
EU checks pesticide MRLs (including glyphosate on pulses) - verify against the EU Pesticides Database before contracting.
Gulf (GCC)
UAE: Dubai Municipality FIRS requires the importer to register the company and each food item (label assessment) before arrival; Arabic/English labelling per GSO 9; India-UAE CEPA preference with a CEPA certificate of origin. UAE (11.10% of India's FY2024-25 pulses exports, APEDA) and Saudi Arabia are core hummus/falafel markets.
Africa
Egypt and North African markets import kabuli chickpeas; Egyptian food imports need Arabic labelling and NFSA clearance.
South Asia
Bangladesh took 21.86% of India's pulses exports in FY2024-25 (APEDA), mainly desi chickpeas and lentil-type pulses; demand swings with its own crop.
General guidance, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with your customs broker or the regulator.
Trade policy note
Chickpea exports were 'Free' as of the last check; Indian pulse trade policy (import duties, stock limits) changes often - verify current DGFT policy before quoting.
Quality control
- • Pre-shipment inspection by SGS / Bureau Veritas / Intertek on request
- • Accredited (NABL) lab report for moisture, aflatoxin, pesticide residues and microbials
- • Pre-shipment and loading photographs, container seal record
- • Count-per-ounce check per lot
Certifications available
- • FSSAI licence
- • APEDA RCMC
- • Phytosanitary certificate
- • HACCP
- • ISO 22000
- • Halal certificate
- • Kosher certificate
- • India Organic (NPOP)
Held by the producing supplier for the specific lot; copies shared with the quote.
Shipping documents
- • Commercial invoice
- • Packing list
- • Bill of lading
- • Certificate of origin (preferential where an FTA applies)
- • Phytosanitary certificate
- • Fumigation certificate
- • Certificate of analysis
Trade data
| Period | Flow | Value (USD mn) | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2024-25 | India exportsLine: Pulses | 778 | verified | apeda.gov.in |
Top destinations: Bangladesh 21.86%; UAE 11.10%; China 8.65%
Export markets
Frequently asked questions
What does 42-44 count mean?
It is the number of chickpeas per ounce (28.35 g); a lower count means larger seeds. 42-44 is a bold premium grade.
Do you supply desi chickpeas and chana dal too?
Yes, desi (brown) chickpeas and split chana dal can be supplied for South Asian diaspora markets alongside kabuli grades.
When is the new crop available?
The Indian rabi chickpea harvest runs roughly February-April; new-crop shipments start from about April.
How are kabuli chickpeas cleaned?
Export lots are machine cleaned, sortexed to remove discoloured seeds and polished before bagging.
What packing is standard?
25 or 50 kg PP or jute bags in fumigated containers; retail packs are available on request.
Request a quote for Kabuli Chickpeas (Garbanzo Beans)
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