Calibration in chickpeas is the diameter of the seed in millimetres, determined by screens. A field does not yield a single calibre; after screening, a harvest separates into a distribution running from 7 mm up to 12 mm. Commercial value follows how that distribution is separated.
Why large seed costs more
The large-calibre share of any harvest is limited. Seeds of 10 mm and above make up a small part of the total, so supply is naturally tight. At the same time, large seed is what markets want where presentation on the plate matters, and in canning. Tight supply meeting concentrated demand is where the price gap appears.
What different markets prefer
- Middle Eastern and Gulf markets generally favour large calibres, 9 mm and above.
- Industrial buyers in Europe value uniformity over size; an even lot in the 7–8 mm range is often the better fit.
- For hummus and paste production, cooking behaviour and skin ratio decide the outcome, not seed size.
Uniformity can beat size
For an industrial buyer the real issue is that the lot is consistent with itself. A wide calibre spread makes cooking time unpredictable and creates waste on the line. That is why a specification should state not just the calibre but the minimum percentage falling within it.
What to state when you enquire
Rather than asking for "chickpeas", give the calibre range, the minimum share within that range, and any acceptable limits for splits and foreign matter. Those three lines make incoming quotations comparable and remove most post-shipment argument before it starts.
