Chana

The area under chana across the country in the ongoing rabi season is likely to be 35-40% higher than 9.9 mln ha the previous year. Chana acreage so far is more than double the year-ago level. Even if the pace of sowing slows down, area could be 35-40% higher this time. chana was planted across 4.7 mln ha, up 43.3% from a year ago.

Chana prices were down in Delhi and Bikaner because of low demand from dal millers. Expectations of higher acreage under chana this season is seen weighing on prices. The most active December futures of chana on the NCDEX were down 1%.

Chana prices were up in Delhi due to a decline in arrivals coupled with improved demand for the commodity. On NCDEX, the most active November contract, however, was down.

Chana prices were up in Delhi and Bikaner on positive sentiment after the central government increased the minimum support price for the pulse for 2018-19 (Apr-Mar). Prices also rose as demand improved and arrivals of chana in the Delhi market declined.

Prices of chana fell in Delhi because of subdued demand from the dal millers. November futures of chana on NCDEX hit 3% lower limit tracking weakness in the spot market.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada has raised its forecast for prices of chana in the country to an average $1,100-$1,130 a metric tonne in 2017-18 (Aug-Jul) from its September estimate of $1,000-$1,030 due to strong global demand. Canada’s farm agency has revised upwards its price forecast despite reports of likely higher sowing of the pulse in India. The agency has forecast production of chana in Canada at 81,000 metric tonne in 2017-18, unchanged from its previous estimate but a tad lower than last year’s output of 82,000 metric tonne. Supply of chana, or chickpeas, is expected to decline by 26% on year to 96,000 metric tonne due to lower carry-in stocks and imports. The agency, however, has lowered its average price estimate for lentils to $650-$680 per metric tonne from its September estimate of $720-$750.

Chana prices were up in Delhi and Bikaner, owing to improved demand from dal millers and stockists due to the festive season. A fall in supply further supported chana prices.

Chana prices rose in Delhi and Bikaner because of a slight recovery in demand due to ongoing festivals.

Prices of chana fell in Delhi and Bikaner due to anticipation of higher sowing of the pulse in this season. Higher imports of chana in September at Mumbai’s Nhava Sheva port are also seen weighing on prices. Chana imports at the Mumbai port in September were estimated at 79,667 metric tonne, compared with 20,832 metric tonne a year ago. Chana November futures on NCDEX were down 1%, tracking the downside in spot market.

Futures contracts of chana fell to nine-week low because of expectations of higher acreage under the pulse in this rabi season. The most-active November contract fell 2.6%. Sowing of chana in Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh is expected to rise sharply this year which may weigh on the sentiment.

The Commission for Agricultural Costs and Prices has recommended increasing minimum support price of chana by 375 rupees per 100 kg for the new marketing year beginning April. The support price of chana was 3,800 rupees per 100 kg, plus a bonus of 200 rupees, this year. The Commission just recommends a support price and the bonus, if any, is decided by the Union Cabinet.

Prices of chana were down in Delhi on subdued demand from dal millers. Expectations of a rise in the sowing of chana this season amid lower demand is seen creating a bearish sentiment. The most active November contract chana on the NCDEX was up 0.6%.

The chana contracts on NCDEX were up over 1% tracking gains in the local market. The most-active chana November contract was up 1.1% from the previous close.

Prices of chana were down in Delhi on subdued demand despite ongoing festive season. Expectations of higher sowing this season amid lower demand is seen creating bearish sentiments. Tracking the trend in the spot market, chana futures on the NCDEX hit the 3% lower circuit.

IMD Agrimet has recommended farmers in Madhya Pradesh to prepare land for sowing of chana. Farmers should sow JG 130, JG218, JG 11, JG 16 and JG 6, wilt-resistant and early varieties of chana, in unirrigated condition. Early sowing would be good for the crop as the seed may utilise available soil moisture in the field. Soil moisture is less this year because of low rains in the state. The south-west monsoon rains were inadequate in the state and may hit the rabi crop sowing.

Rajasthan farmers told to sow chana after Oct 15.

Chana prices up in Delhi tracking gains in futures.

IMD’s Agrimet division has advised farmers in Rajasthan to delay sowing of key rabi crops chana and mustard till Oct 15, and wait for the temperature to fall below 35 degrees Celsius to start sowing.

Prices of chana in Delhi rise tracking gains in future contracts amid expectations of a rise in demand from millers in the coming days. Futures contract of chana rose on short covering by market participants.

Chana prices down in Delhi, Bikaner on low demand.