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Abstract
The Indian Sub-Continent (ISC) is the largest pulse producing and consuming region in the
world. Australian scientists, producers, processors and exporters require detailed
information about these markets. One study of these markets aims to describe the Indian
chickpea market and to quantify the value of quality traits in the market using statistical
analysis. This paper describes the Indian chickpea market and reports the results of about
forty interviews with wholesalers, retailers, processors, brokers and commission agents
which were conducted in eight key Indian markets in May and August 1999. A subsequent
paper will present the results of an econometric analysis, which attaches values to the
product traits of samples taken at the time of the interviews.
The main conclusions of the interviews were that the Indian chickpea market is segmented
mainly by the end-use. Australian desi chickpeas are perceived as not suitable for consuming
whole or for making roasted chickpea because of their bitter taste. Desi chickpeas from
Tanzania and Myanmar are considered to have a sweet taste. Australian desi is suitable for
making dhal and flour because the bitterness is masked in the cooking. Australian desi peas
are preferred to local and other imported chickpeas because of their high recovery rate,
uniform and large size and low contamination. The size of kabuli chickpea is considered very
important. Australia’s kabuli chickpea is smaller than the preferred size. The econometric
analysis will determine the importance of chickpea size.