Pulses’ import dips by 52pc in Oct

RECORDER REPORT

KARACHI: Pakistan’s import of pulses declined by 52 percent or $19.279 million in October this year, as importers are expecting bumper crop in the coming season.

“In October 2011, pulses were over-imported as the local crop had been damaged by the cold frost, resulting in a panic like situation in the country for commodity’s shortage,” said a leading importer, Anis Majeed, on Thursday.

The country imported $18.050 million in October this fiscal year as compared to the commodity’s import of $37.329 million in Oct last fiscal year, showing a decline of 51.65 percent or $19.279 million, according to Pakistan Bureau of Statistics.

During July-Oct 2012, the country import of pulses went down by 5.33 percent or $7.874 million to $ 139.856 million as compared to the commodity’s import of $147.730 million during the same period of the last fiscal year, PBS says.

“Channa is largely being imported in the country for its demand,” Anis said, adding that the new crop is likely to further reduce the import of the commodity. He said the over-import of pulses last fiscal year had increased the import bills for the commodity.

The country import pulses mainly from Australia, Canada, Burma, Tanzania and Ethiopia.

mporters previously estimated the country may import 80 percent of pulses after the last year’s winter frost hit the crops in the country. They said the nation consumes 0.6 million metric tonnes of pulses every year.