Bangladesh is expected to face an oversupply of chickpeas ahead of Ramadan, raising hopes of falling prices in both wholesale and retail markets. Despite an annual demand of about 150,000 metric tons, imports consistently exceed local consumption, with recent imports surpassing 200,000 metric tons.
This trend is expected to continue in the 2025–2026 fiscal year, driven by low international prices and early actions by importers to secure shipments.
According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), importers have already secured permits for 109,000 metric tons of chickpeas between July 1 and October 5 of this fiscal year. Officials predict that the total import volume could reach nearly 200,000 metric tons by January next year.
Most shipments are expected to arrive just before Ramadan, which falls in late December or early January, ensuring ample supply during the peak demand period.
Dr Mohammad Shah Alam, Deputy Director of the Plant Quarantine Station at Chattogram seaport, explained that Chattogram port remains the main entry point for chickpea shipments.
Once an import permit is issued, it typically takes one-and-a-half to two months for the consignment to arrive after completing the LC process. “The current consignments are expected to arrive before Ramadan,” he said.
Although Bangladesh’s annual chickpea consumption remains steady at around 150,000 tons—70 percent of which is used during Ramadan—imports consistently exceed this requirement, sometimes doubling or tripling the demand.
Data from the Plant Quarantine Station of the Department of Agricultural Extension shows that 9,926 metric tons of chickpeas were imported through Chattogram seaport and various land ports between July 1 and October 5 this fiscal year.
Additionally, Bangladesh imported 288,000 metric tons of chickpeas in the 2024–2025 fiscal year, 196,000 metric tons in 2023–2024, 312,000 metric tons in 2022–2023, 341,000 metric tons in 2021–2022, and 115,000 metric tons in 2020–2021.
The majority of Bangladesh’s chickpeas come from Australia, with additional supplies from Canada, Ethiopia, Bhutan, and India. Between July 1 and October 5 this fiscal year, about 9,926 tons have already cleared through ports, according to quarantine station data.
Traders and wholesalers have reported a fall in global chickpea prices, which is already being reflected in local markets. In Khatunganj, Bangladesh’s largest wholesale hub, the price of chickpeas has dropped sharply over the past week, from Tk 88–89 per kg to around Tk 85 per kg.
“This is just the beginning,” said Paritosh Dey, owner of King Traders, an importer and wholesaler in Chattogram. “Once the new consignments arrive in bulk before Ramadan, prices will fall even further.”
The optimism is shared by trade leaders. Md Aminur Rahman, General Secretary of the Khatunganj Trade and Industries Association, noted that chickpeas sold for nearly Tk 100 per kg during Ramadan earlier this year.
“This time, prices could drop to Tk 70–80 per kg at wholesale, as international prices are lower. Naturally, retail prices will also be cheaper compared to the last two years,” he said.
At the consumer level, prices remain higher than wholesale for now. In various Chattogram upazilas, chickpeas are selling for Tk 100–110 per kg, depending on quality.
Mofizur Rahman Hiru, owner of Islam Traders at Dohazari Municipal Market, said his shop currently sells chickpeas at Tk 100–105 per kg. “During Ramadan this year, the price was around Tk 110. We expect prices to soften again when new shipments arrive.”
Similarly, Manik Chandra Das of Manik Store in Mirsarai’s Mithachora Bazar reported retail prices hovering around Tk 110 per kg. “It’s too early to say where the price will settle, but all signs suggest it will be lower before Ramadan,” he added.
