Last Friday, private employee Khaled Hossain Bhuiyan bought two kilograms of chickpeas at Tk 130 per kilogram from the Mohakhali kitchen market in Dhaka. Expressing frustration, he remarked, “I often have chickpeas for snacks in the evening and buy them regularly throughout the year. But I’ve never had to pay Tk 130 before. If this is the price now, I can’t imagine what it’ll be during Ramadan.”

Though Ramadan is still three months away, the rising price of chickpeas, a staple for iftar, is already a concern for consumers. According to the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), the price of chickpeas has risen by nearly 49% over the past year. Experts have advised increasing imports, improving supply chains, and intensifying market monitoring while ensuring distribution through TCB to stabilize prices.

Traders, however, claim that the current stock of chickpeas was imported last year when global prices and exchange rates were higher. They expect new imports for Ramadan to increase significantly by January if letters of credit (LCs) are issued without delay, potentially stabilizing or even lowering prices.

In Dhaka’s wholesale and retail markets, including Karwan Bazar, Chawk Bazar, and Mohakhali, chickpeas were found to be selling at Tk 115–117 per kilogram in bulk and Tk 125–130 per kilogram at retail. A year ago, the retail price ranged from Tk 90–95 per kilogram, reflecting a Tk 35 increase in just 12 months.

Despite TCB reporting a 4% price decrease over the past month, the year-on-year increase remains substantial.

Raihan, the owner of Tuhin General Store in Karwan Bazar, noted that prices peaked at Tk 140 per kilogram a few days ago but have now dropped to Tk 130. According to the Ministry of Commerce, Bangladesh’s annual demand for chickpeas is around 150,000 tons, with 100,000 tons required during Ramadan alone. However, importers dispute this, estimating annual demand at approximately 200,000 tons, with 100,000–120,000 tons consumed during Ramadan. Local production is minimal, covering only 5,000–7,000 tons annually, making imports essential.

Traders identified Australia as the primary source of chickpea imports for Bangladesh, followed by India, Canada, Pakistan, Ethiopia, Russia, Ukraine, Tanzania, and Myanmar. Recently, most imports have come from Australia, Canada, and India. Data from the National Board of Revenue (NBR) indicates that chickpea imports from July to October this year totaled 2,682 tons, compared to 11,366 tons during the same period last year. However, traders do not view this drop as alarming, expecting a surge in imports by January to meet Ramadan demand.

Selim Hossain Babu, Joint Secretary of the Bangladesh Pulses Traders Association, stated that importers would ramp up chickpea imports in January, with Australia’s harvest season beginning then. Importers will assess global prices and source from the cheapest markets, provided banks offer fair exchange rates and facilitate timely LCs. Chickpeas from Australia typically take 1–1.5 months to arrive, whereas imports from India are quicker. However, current tensions with India might affect this option.

Abul Bashar Chowdhury, Acting President of the Khatunganj Traders Association, assured that importers are actively sourcing chickpeas, and if LCs are issued as usual, there will be no shortage before Ramadan. Adequate supply could stabilize or reduce prices.

SM Nazer Hossain, Vice President of the Consumers Association of Bangladesh (CAB), emphasized easing LC processes to boost imports while strengthening market monitoring to prevent price manipulation by opportunistic traders ahead of Ramadan. He also urged consumers to avoid panic buying to help maintain market stability.