What It Is
Besan is flour made from split desi chana. It is the base of India's namkeen and sweets industry, of pakoras, kadhi, dhokla and laddoos, and one of the largest uses of chana.
How It Is Made
Chana dal is cleaned, sometimes lightly roasted, and ground in besan mills. Mills in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat supply snack makers and brands.
Uses and Buyers
Namkeen and sweets makers, restaurants, caterers and households.
Quality and Standards
Besan is checked for fineness, colour, moisture and adulteration (for example with cheaper pea flour). Food products must meet FSSAI standards and labelling rules; many are also sold under the AGMARK grading mark, and exporters follow the buying country's rules on residues and contaminants.
Trade and Exports
Besan and namkeen are exported to the Gulf, UK, USA and other diaspora markets.
Where the Raw Material Comes From
Processors buy chana from the main growing states below. Plants are usually built close to these belts, or close to ports for imported raw material, to keep freight low and quality fresh. Tap a state for its districts, markets, season and buyers.
| State | Main districts |
|---|---|
| Madhya Pradesh | Vidisha, Sagar, Raisen, Dewas, Ujjain, Indore, Ashoknagar |
| Maharashtra | Latur, Akola, Amravati, Buldhana, Jalna, Ahmednagar |
| Rajasthan | Bikaner, Jaipur, Kota, Hanumangarh, Churu, Ajmer |
| Karnataka | Kalaburagi, Vijayapura, Dharwad, Gadag, Bagalkot |
| Gujarat | Junagadh, Rajkot, Amreli, Ahmedabad, Porbandar |
| Uttar Pradesh | Jhansi, Lalitpur, Banda, Hamirpur, Mahoba |
| Andhra Pradesh | Kurnool, Prakasam, Anantapur, Kadapa |
Makers, Processors and Bodies
- Haldiram Snacks Pvt LtdNamkeen; besan buyerAboutExplore
- Bikaji Foods International LtdBikaner · namkeenAboutExplore
- Tata Consumer Products LtdTata Sampann besanAboutExplore
- AWL Agri Business LtdFortune besanAboutExplore
Related: Chana · All products · All crops
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