Pakistan's dependence on imported pulses soared to the tune of $87.524 million in the first two months of the current fiscal year, up by over 44 percent, official figures say. Thus, the rise in pulses import now stands at $26.921 million in July-August 2015-16 as compared to the commodity's import of $60.603 million in July-August last fiscal year, Pakistan Bureau of Statistics said.
In term of volume: Pakistan imported 144,480 metric tons of pulses in July-August 2015-16 up by over 48 percent or 46,979 metric tons from 97,501 metric tons in July-August 2014-15, the official statistics say. In August 2015, the country's pulses import grew by over 41 percent or $13.291 million to $45.693 million from $32.402 million in August 2014. Import volume also surged by 43.38 percent or 22,258 metric tons to 73,563 metric tons in August 2015 from 51,305 metric tons in August 2014.
On a monthly basis, the country's import in August 2015 mounted by over nine percent from $70.917 million in July 2015. Volume of pulses import gone up by four percent in August 2015 from $41.831 in July 2015. Pakistan depends on Australia, Burma, Tanzania and Ethiopia for its pulses import to satisfy about 0.6 million metric tons demand for the commodity every year. Traders believe the good local crop always helps the country reduce its import.