Chana (gram, chickpea)

What it is

India's largest rabi pulse. Desi chana is split into chana dal and milled into besan; kabuli chana is sold whole.

Desi chanaKabuli chanaChana dal and besan

Where India produces it

1. Madhya Pradesh

   2023-24: 2.91 million tonnes (26.4% of India)

2. Maharashtra

   2023-24: 2.84 million tonnes (25.69% of India)

3. Rajasthan

   2023-24: 1.92 million tonnes (17.39% of India)

4. Gujarat

   2023-24: 1.07 million tonnes (9.66% of India)

5. Uttar Pradesh

   2023-24: 0.79 million tonnes (7.12% of India)

Where imports come from

India imported 4,738.90 thousand tonnes of pulses in 2023-24 (₹31,071.63 crore) against domestic output of 242.46 lakh tonnes. Chickpea imports jumped to US$ 1,199.95 million in 2024-25 from US$ 213.53 million in 2023-24 (HS 071320).

• Australia — US$ 1033.05 million imported under HS 071320 in 2024-25
• Tanzania — US$ 63.47 million imported under HS 071320 in 2024-25
• Sudan — US$ 29.21 million imported under HS 071320 in 2024-25

Rules before you buy or sell

• Farm-gate trade usually goes through a state APMC mandi or e-NAM; the state's market fee and trader licence rules apply.
• Under the Essential Commodities Act, 1955 the Centre can set stock limits for traders and processors; check current orders.
• Import and export are governed by the ITC(HS) policy; check the current DGFT notification before you sign a contract, because policy for farm goods changes often.
• Imports of seeds, grain and plant products need a phytosanitary certificate and clearance under the Plant Quarantine (Regulation of Import into India) Order, 2003.
• FSSAI licence or registration is needed to process, pack, store or sell it as food (Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006).

Businesses that use it

Besan (Gram Flour) Unit →Dal Mill →Namkeen / Bhujia Unit →