A practical map of masoor, moong, toor, urad and chana, how whole-versus-split and sortex grading affect price, and the moisture and broken-percentage limits that protect you on arrival.
"Pulses" covers a lot of ground, and the first conversation we have with a new buyer is which one they actually mean. The varieties grow in different belts, grade differently and trade under different HS 0713 sub-headings, so let us sort out the basics before talking price.
Know your varieties and belts
Masoor (red lentil) comes mainly from Madhya Pradesh and Bihar, sold whole or split. Moong (green gram) is strong out of Rajasthan; toor or arhar (pigeon pea) from Maharashtra and Karnataka; urad (black gram) widely grown. Chana (chickpea) splits into kabuli — graded by count such as 42/44 or 58/60 per ounce, where a lower count means bigger seed — and desi or brown chana. Each comes whole, split (dal) or polished, and the form changes both the price and how you should inspect it.
Grading and sortex
Cleaning level is where quality and price separate. Machine-clean is the base; sortex (optical sorting) lifts purity to roughly 99 to 99.5% by removing discoloured and damaged grains; hand-picked premium is cleaner still. For chickpeas, the size count is its own grade entirely. Agree the cleaning standard and, for kabuli, the count, on contract — both are confirmed on the CoA per lot.
- Moisture, typically under 12%
- Admixture and foreign matter %
- Broken / split percentage
- Weevilled or insect-damaged grains
- Cleaning grade: machine-clean, sortex %, or hand-picked
- Chickpea count (e.g. 42/44, 58/60) where relevant
What actually goes wrong on arrival
A word of caution: most pulse disputes we see are about moisture and broken percentage, not variety. High moisture invites mould and weevils in transit, especially on a long sea leg through Mundra or Nhava Sheva, and brokens climb if material is handled roughly. Write firm limits into the contract, test at accredited partner labs, and ship with a CoA covering moisture, admixture, brokens and infestation.
Tip: For a first order, ask for the sortex level one grade above what you think you need. The cost difference per tonne is usually small against the headache of picking stones and discoloured grains out of a container on arrival.
Frequently asked questions
Which pulses and forms do you handle?
Masoor, moong, toor, urad and chana, both whole and split as dal. We confirm the type, polish and form on the contract and CoA.
What sortex purity and moisture can I expect?
Sortex purity is typically 99 to 99.5%, with moisture under 12% and brokens agreed per lot. These figures are indicative and confirmed on the CoA.
Can you supply a specific chickpea count?
Yes, chana is sized to counts such as 42 or 44 per ounce among others. State the count you need and we will set it on the contract.
Is a low-volume trial possible?
It is. We do trial quantities on LCL for new buyers and move to FCL as you scale.
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