Chickpeas (Kabuli / Desi) Exporter from India
Kabuli and Desi chickpeas from India's pulse belt — sized, cleaned and container-loaded for a well-diversified global buyer base.
Quick answer: Green Plus EXIM exports Indian chickpeas in both Kabuli (large, cream-coloured) and Desi (smaller, darker) types, cleaned and sized to buyer specification. India's chickpea exports are genuinely well-diversified — the UAE, Bangladesh, Iran, Algeria and Sri Lanka each take a meaningful but not dominant share, which is unusual for an Indian pulse and a real risk-diversification advantage for buyers. Chickpea export is currently Free under Indian policy, with a stable history since 2017 (details below).
Indian chickpeas for export
India is the world's largest chickpea producer, and our 2024 export data shows a rare thing for an Indian pulse: a genuinely diversified buyer base rather than dependence on one or two dominant markets. We supply both Kabuli (the large, cream-coloured type used whole) and Desi (smaller, darker, typically split into chana dal or milled into besan), cleaned and sized to your specification.
We source from Madhya Pradesh — India's Kabuli heartland — and Maharashtra, with Rajasthan, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh adding volume, mostly of Desi-type. Stock is sized, cleaned to your foreign-matter and admixture tolerance, and bagged or jumbo-bagged for container loading.
Chickpea export policy: settled, not volatile
Worth stating plainly because pulses as a category have a complicated Indian export history: several pulses, chickpeas included, were prohibited from export for years to protect domestic supply and prices. DGFT lifted that prohibition in September 2017 "till further orders," and it has remained in force since. Kabuli chana specifically had its own standalone exemption dating back to March 2007, even before the broader 2017 lift.
Unlike fresh onion — where we caveat every quote because the Minimum Export Price regime genuinely changes at short notice — chickpea export policy has been stable for years now. Real 2024 trade flows (see the table below) confirm this isn't just a policy statement on paper; substantial volume is actually moving. We still confirm current terms at time of order as standard practice across every product, but this is not a line where we expect policy surprises.
How should I specify chickpeas?
- Type. Kabuli or Desi — they serve different end uses and price differently. Say which you need.
- Size (Kabuli). Graded by count-per-ounce — 7mm, 8mm, 9mm and 10mm+ are common export bands, with larger sizes commanding a premium.
- Moisture and cleanliness. 12–14% moisture and low foreign matter/admixture are standard export tolerances — tell us your contract limits.
Which markets buy Indian chickpeas?
The UAE and Bangladesh are the two largest by value, with Iran, Algeria and Sri Lanka close behind — no single market dominates the way Bangladesh dominates, say, Indian lentil exports. That spread is a genuine advantage if you're evaluating supply-risk diversification against India as an origin.
Chickpea export pricing
Send your type (Kabuli/Desi), size grade, quantity and destination port and we'll quote current FOB/CIF terms within 24 business hours.
Key facts
- Both Kabuli and Desi types supplied, sized to buyer spec
- HS code: 0713.20 (chickpeas/garbanzos, dried, shelled)
- Export policy: Free since 2017 (Kabuli exempted since 2007) — stable, not volatile
- ~24–25 MT per 20ft container (bagged)
- Well-diversified markets: UAE, Bangladesh, Iran, Algeria, Sri Lanka
- Stores 12+ months when properly dried and stored
Step 1 of 2 — takes 60 seconds
Chickpeas (Kabuli / Desi) specifications
| Parameter | Typical specification |
|---|---|
| Type | Kabuli (large, cream) or Desi (small, brown/tan) — specify on enquiry |
| Size (Kabuli) | 7mm, 8mm, 9mm, 10mm+ count-per-ounce grading available |
| Moisture | ≤ 12–14% |
| Foreign matter | ≤ 1% |
| Admixture / damaged | ≤ 2–3%, per contract |
| Colour | Uniform, natural — no significant discolouration |
Typical specs — final specifications as per contract. Tell us your required grade when you request a quote and we'll confirm availability.
Packaging & container loading
| Detail | Options |
|---|---|
| Packaging | 25 kg and 50 kg PP/jute bags; 1 MT jumbo bags (FIBC) for bulk buyers |
| Minimum order quantity | 1 × 20ft container; trial orders discussed |
| Loading capacity (20ft) | Approx. 24–25 MT in a 20ft container (bagged) |
| Loading capacity (40ft) | Approx. 26–27 MT in a 40ft container |
| Shelf life & storage | 12+ months in cool, dry, pest-controlled storage — pulses store well when properly dried |
Loading figures are typical estimates — use the chickpeas (kabuli / desi) container load estimator for a planning figure, and confirm exact figures with us before booking.
Download Chickpeas (Kabuli / Desi) specification sheet (PDF)
Availability calendar
Typical availability for chickpeas (kabuli / desi) from India, by month:
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● | ● |
Availability shifts year to year with weather and growing conditions — ask for current availability before planning a shipment window.
Where India exports chickpeas (kabuli / desi)
India's top destination markets for chickpeas (kabuli / desi) (HS 0713.20 (chickpeas / garbanzos, dried, shelled)), 2024 (calendar year). India exported $283,198,020 of chickpeas (kabuli / desi) worldwide that year:
| Destination country | Export value (USD) | Quantity |
|---|---|---|
| United Arab Emirates | $35,268,380 | 31,893,800 Kg |
| Bangladesh | $34,225,560 | 43,732,900 Kg |
| Iran | $28,273,880 | 31,281,600 Kg |
| Algeria | $26,023,210 | 15,250,000 Kg |
| Sri Lanka | $24,077,230 | 17,378,800 Kg |
| Turkey | $15,508,080 | 11,289,200 Kg |
| China | $13,559,880 | 11,627,300 Kg |
| Saudi Arabia | $12,757,950 | 9,176,580 Kg |
| Egypt | $10,651,840 | 7,575,040 Kg |
| United States | $9,900,220 | 6,534,030 Kg |
Source: WITS (World Bank) / UN Comtrade — India exports by partner, calendar year 2024 — view source. Data year: 2024 (calendar year). Retrieved: 2026-09-17.
India's total chickpeas (kabuli / desi) exports by year
| Year | India's total export value (USD) |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $89,100,800 |
| 2022 | $225,000,260 |
| 2023 | $287,163,240 |
| 2024 | $283,198,020 |
Source: WITS (World Bank) / UN Comtrade — India exports of HS 071320 (dried chickpeas, shelled) to World, 2021-2024 — view source. Retrieved: 2026-09-30.
Notes on this data
HIGH CONFIDENCE — primary-tier (WITS/UN Comtrade). India world total 2024: USD 283.20M across ~247,296 MT. Well-spread market base (no single country above ~12.5% of value), which is unusually good for risk diversification. The existence of substantial 2024 export flows is itself empirical evidence that chickpea export was NOT prohibited during the period — consistent with the policy search finding that pulses remain exportable.
Indian sourcing regions
Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra are India's largest chickpea (chana) producing states, with Rajasthan, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh contributing significant volume. Kabuli-type chickpea is concentrated in Madhya Pradesh; Desi-type is grown more widely across the central and southern belts. The main rabi crop is harvested February–April; export movement continues through the rest of the year from stored stock.
Export documentation
Export documentation prepared to match destination-country and buyer requirements — phytosanitary certificate, certificate of origin, fumigation certificate, lab test reports and more, as applicable.
- Phytosanitary certificate
- Certificate of origin
- Fumigation certificate
- Certificate of analysis — moisture, foreign matter, admixture
- Commercial invoice, packing list and bill of lading
Share your compliance checklist and we will confirm the documentation for your shipment. Third-party inspection (SGS, Bureau Veritas, Intertek or your nominated agency) can be arranged on request.
Get a quote for Chickpeas (Kabuli / Desi)
Tell us your specs — get a quote within 24 business hours.
Chickpeas (Kabuli / Desi) export FAQs
Yes — chickpea export is Free under current Indian policy. India prohibited export of several pulses, including chickpeas, for an extended period to protect domestic supply, but DGFT lifted that prohibition in September 2017 'till further orders,' and it remains in force. Kabuli chana specifically had its own earlier exemption from March 2007, even before the general 2017 lift.
No — unlike fresh onion, which carries an active Minimum Export Price regime that changes at short notice, chickpea export has been in a stable Free status since 2017. We still confirm current terms at the time of your order as standard practice, but this is not a product where we expect policy surprises.
Kabuli is the larger, cream-coloured type used for whole-chickpea dishes and hummus — it's sized by count-per-ounce (7mm–10mm+). Desi is smaller and darker, typically split and milled into chana dal or besan (gram flour). Tell us which type and end use you need.
Our 2024 trade data shows a genuinely diversified base: the UAE, Bangladesh, Iran, Algeria and Sri Lanka are all significant, with no single country above roughly 12.5% of total export value. That spread is unusual for an Indian pulse and reduces buyer concentration risk.
Roughly 24–25 MT bagged in a 20ft container and 26–27 MT in a 40ft. Jumbo bags (1 MT FIBC) are available for buyers set up to handle bulk.
Well over a year in cool, dry, pest-controlled conditions — properly dried pulses are one of the more storage-stable commodities we handle, which supports flexible shipment scheduling.
One 20ft container. Ask about trial quantities for a first order.
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