Kabuli Chickpeas (Kabuli Chana)
Elysium Agri exports Indian kabuli chickpeas (kabuli chana, white chickpeas) in every export size from 7–8 mm to 12 mm and above, including the bold "Dollar" grade. Our kabuli is machine-cleaned, size-graded and sortexed to 99%+ purity, and every lot is tested for moisture, admixture, pesticide residues and heavy metals.
India is the world's largest chickpea grower, with about 11.8 million tonnes of gram in 2025-26, and kabuli exports have grown fast: India's chickpea exports reached about 3.9 lakh tonnes worth US$ 382 million in 2025.
Kabuli Chickpeas Specification
Sizes
7–8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 12+ mm (Dollar)
Count per Ounce
75/80 to 38/40 by size
Purity
99% min · sortex-cleaned
Moisture
12% max
Foreign Matter
0.2–0.5% max
Damaged / Weevilled
≤ 0.5–1% / ≤ 0.5%
Broken / Split
≤ 1%
Colour
Cream to light beige, uniform
Lead / Cadmium
≤ 0.20 / ≤ 0.040 mg/kg (EU)
Container Load
20 ft ≈ 24–25 MT · 40 ft HC ≈ 26–28 MT
Kabuli Chickpeas: Full Export Specification
The standard export specification for our kabuli chickpeas, benchmarked to Codex CXS 171-1989 and the FSSAI pulses standard. Size-wise values are in Kabuli Chickpea Sizes: mm vs Count per Ounce. Send your own specification with your enquiry.
| General | Specification | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Product | Whole kabuli chickpeas (Cicer arietinum L., kabuli type), dried, cleaned | Kabuli chana / white chickpeas / garbanzo |
| Varieties | KAK 2 (PKV Kabuli 2), JGK 1–3, Kripa, PKV Kabuli 4-1, MNK 1; trade grades "Dollar" and "Double Dollar" | ICRISAT; Indore trade |
| Crop / season | Rabi crop: sown Oct–Nov, harvested Feb–Apr; arrivals Mar–May | Crop year on each contract |
| Colour / shape | Cream to light beige; large, rounded, ram's-head shape, smooth coat | Visual |
| Physical | Specification | Test method / note |
|---|---|---|
| Purity | 99% min | — |
| Moisture | ≤ 12% | ISO 24557; Codex max 14%, FSSAI max 14% |
| Foreign matter (extraneous) | ≤ 0.2–0.5% | Codex max 1% (mineral ≤ 0.25%) |
| Damaged / discoloured | ≤ 0.5–1% | FSSAI discoloured max 3% |
| Weevilled grains | ≤ 0.5% | Buyer limit |
| Broken / split | ≤ 1% | Codex / FSSAI broken max 3% |
| Shrivelled / immature | ≤ 0.5% | Buyer limit |
| Codex / FSSAI benchmarks | Limit | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Serious defects | ≤ 1% | Codex CXS 171; FSSAI 2.4.6 |
| Slight defects (incl. broken ≤ 3%) | ≤ 7% | Codex CXS 171; FSSAI |
| Other edible grains | ≤ 2% | FSSAI |
| Food safety | Specification | Test method / note |
|---|---|---|
| Lead | ≤ 0.20 mg/kg | ICP-MS; EU limit for pulses (Reg 2023/915) |
| Cadmium | ≤ 0.040 mg/kg | ICP-MS; EU limit for pulses |
| Uric acid | ≤ 100 mg/kg | FSSAI |
| Live insects | Nil | Visual; fumigated before loading |
| Commercial | Specification | Note |
|---|---|---|
| HS code | 0713 20 10 (kabuli chana) | Desi chana (Bengal gram) is 0713 20 20 |
| Packing | 25 / 50 kg PP or BOPP bags (new, with or without liner) · 1 MT jumbo bags | Buyer's marks and private label on request |
| Container load | 20 ft: about 24–25 MT · 40 ft HC: about 26–28 MT | See Kabuli Packing and Container Loading |
| Shelf life | 12 months in cool, dry storage | Cool, dry, ventilated storage away from odours |
| Documents | Phytosanitary Certificate · Certificate of Origin · Certificate of Analysis (moisture, admixture, pesticides incl. glyphosate, lead, cadmium) · Fumigation Certificate (where required by destination) · Independent inspection (SGS or buyer's surveyor) on request | — |
Kabuli Chickpea Sizes: mm vs Count per Ounce
Kabuli is sold by screen size (mm) in India and often by count per ounce (seeds per 28.35 g) abroad. Bigger seeds cost more.
| Size (mm) | Count per ounce | Trade name | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| 7–8 mm | 75/80 | Small kabuli | Hummus, canning, flour |
| 9 mm | 58/60 | Medium | Canning, retail, ready meals |
| 10 mm | 46/48 | Bold | Retail packs, canning |
| 11 mm | 44/46 | Bold | Retail packs, salads |
| 12 mm | 42/44 | Extra bold / Dollar | Premium retail, Middle East |
| 13–14 mm | 40/42 – 38/40 | Double Dollar | — |
Cleaning and Finish
Machine Cleaned
Destoned and graded, for milling and canning.
Sortex Cleaned
Off-colour and damaged seeds removed, for retail.
Need smaller brown chickpeas? Desi Chickpeas →. Ready-to-eat? Roasted Chickpeas →
Kabuli Packing and Container Loading
| Pack type | Net weight | Units per 20 ft | Net per 20 ft | Net per 40 ft HC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PP bag | 50 kg | ≈ 480–500 | ≈ 24–25 MT | ≈ 26–28 MT |
| PP / BOPP bag | 25 kg | ≈ 960–1,000 | ≈ 24–25 MT | ≈ 26–28 MT |
| Jumbo bag | 1,000 kg | ≈ 24 | ≈ 24 MT | ≈ 26–28 MT |
Where Kabuli Chickpeas Are Used
Hummus and Dips
Smaller sizes for hummus makers.
Canning
Canned chickpeas in brine.
Retail Packs
Bold 10–12 mm for supermarkets.
Ready Meals
Curries, chana masala and salads.
Chickpea Flour and Protein
Milling and plant-protein uses.
Snacks
Roasted and fried chickpea snacks.
Kabuli Chana Price: What Sets It
Kabuli is priced per metric tonne FOB by size. Indore mandi prices lead the Indian market.
- Size: each step up from 8 mm to 12 mm+ adds to the price.
- Indian crop: the rabi harvest (Feb–Apr) sets the year's supply.
- World supply: Mexican, Russian, Turkish and Canadian kabuli crops.
- Demand: the UAE, Algeria and Iran were India's largest buyers in 2025.
- Finish: sortex and polished lots cost more.
Prices move with the crop and the market, so we quote on the day. Tell us your grade, quantity and port for a current FOB, CFR or CIF price.
Tested, Certified and Traceable
Indian chickpeas are not under increased EU border checks, but we test to EU limits for every buyer.
- Lot sampling
- Moisture, admixture, pesticide and heavy-metal tests
- Phytosanitary, fumigation and export documents
Documents with every shipment
Get a Kabuli Chickpea Quote
Share your size, quantity and destination, and we will send an FOB or CIF price with the spec sheet.
Thank you. Our chickpea desk will send your price and spec sheet.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are kabuli chickpeas?
Kabuli chickpeas (kabuli chana) are the large, cream-coloured type of chickpea with a smooth coat, also called white chickpeas or garbanzo beans. They are used for hummus, canning, salads and curries. The smaller, darker type is desi chana.
What sizes of kabuli chickpeas do you export?
We export kabuli from 7–8 mm (about 75/80 count per ounce) up to 12 mm (42/44) and larger "Dollar" grades, machine-cleaned or sortexed.
What is the specification of kabuli chickpeas for export?
Export kabuli typically has 99% purity, moisture ≤ 12%, foreign matter ≤ 0.2–0.5%, damaged ≤ 0.5–1%, weevilled ≤ 0.5% and broken ≤ 1%, within Codex CXS 171 and FSSAI limits, with pesticide, lead (≤ 0.20 mg/kg) and cadmium (≤ 0.040 mg/kg) results to EU limits.
What is the HS code for kabuli chickpeas?
Kabuli chana is exported from India under ITC-HS 0713 20 10. Desi chana (Bengal gram) is 0713 20 20.
What is Dollar chana?
"Dollar" is a trade name for extra-bold kabuli chickpeas, usually 12 mm and above, traded mainly in Indore, Neemuch and Mandsaur. It is a size grade, not a separate variety.
How many tonnes of kabuli chickpeas fit in a 20 ft container?
About 24–25 metric tonnes in 25 or 50 kg bags; the load is limited by weight. A 40 ft high cube holds about 26–28 MT, depending on the shipping line's limit.
Do Indian chickpeas face EU border checks?
No. Indian chickpeas are not listed for increased checks under Regulation (EU) 2019/1793. They must still meet EU limits for pesticide residues, lead (0.20 mg/kg) and cadmium (0.040 mg/kg).
Who exports kabuli chickpeas from India?
Elysium Agri Corporation, based in Jamnagar, Gujarat, exports kabuli chickpeas in 7–8 mm to 12 mm+ sizes, sortex-cleaned, with lot-wise moisture, admixture, pesticide and heavy-metal testing.
