Unseasonable rainfall in growing areas, thin stock and unmet demand have risen chana prices in several parts of India. From the trending prices of Rs. 3400 a quintal till last week, chana is now available at Rs. 3,500 -3700 a quintal in major cities like Delhi, Mumbai and parts of Peninsular India, during this week.
Erratic rainfall in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh during the winter month of January has increased chana prices. The rainfall alone has damaged close to 10% of matured crops.
Severely affecting crops, rainfall in Madhya Pradesh was in excess by more than 300%. While West M.P. received 39.7 mm of rain which was in excess by 367%, East M.P. too witnessed a surplus rainfall of 85% with 37 mm of rain against the monthly average of 20 mm.
The story was similar in Rajasthan where eastern parts of the state received an excess rainfall of 70% with 9.5 mm of rain during January as against the monthly average of 5.6 mm.
India is one of the top 5 largest producers of chana (chickpea) followed by Pakistan and Iran. The country produces 6 to 8 million tonnes of chana and contributes about 70 per cent of the total world production.
