Demand Building For Small, Desi Chickpeas

VANCOUVER - Apr 14/06 - SNS -- International chickpea markets were relatively firm against emerging demand for small caliber and desi chickpeas by India and Bangladesh, and defensive pricing for large caliber chickpeas by Mexico.

Desi chickpeas in Canada and Australia both managed to advance on the week, helped by problems with Pakistan's harvest.

The improving market for Canadian desi chickpeas is not being reflected back to growers, however, with the basis spread between what the grower is receiving and market paying expanding from CDN $3.12 to $3.72 per 100 pounds or from roughly U.S. $60 to $71.50 MT.

Desi and small caliber chickpea markets are helped by a steep drop in Pakistani output. The Karachi Wholesale Grocers Group says Pakistan's chickpea harvest in only between 350,000-400,000, versus 900,000 MT last year. The country has around 141,000 MT remaining from last year.

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