Pakistan’s Pulses Import Hits $946 Million in FY23

Pakistan experienced an unprecedented increase in imports of pulses during FY23, reaching a staggering 1.344 million tons valued at $946 million. This figure surpassed the previous record of 1.266 million tons, worth $709 million, set in FY21.

In January 2023, a crisis emerged when importers protested outside the State Bank of Pakistan’s head office due to non-clearance of over 6,000 imported pulse containers that had been stuck at the Karachi port for two months. The situation improved as the availability of dollars increased, and the government prioritized preventing food shortages, leading to a surge in imports.

Despite the significant influx of pulses, consumers witnessed mixed trends in prices for various varieties. The national average price of masoor, moong, mash, and gram saw fluctuations compared to the previous year. The Economic Survey FY23 highlighted a concerning decline in Pakistan’s pulses production, particularly for gram, moong, mash, and masoor.

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Faisal Anis Majeed, an experienced importer/exporter, attributed the high local market prices to the rupee’s devaluation, port delays, rising transportation costs, and stable world pulses prices. Pakistan heavily relies on imports to meet its pulse demand from various countries.

Overall, while imports surged, local production faced challenges, resulting in a considerable consumption-demand gap.