Importers begin placing orders for black matpe in Burma

Commercial importers have started placing orders in Mianmar (Burma) for the import of black matpe (Mash whole), with shipment due in August, sources said.
Sources said that the private importers a last month, initiated correspondence with their respective parties in Burma and booked some 5,000 tonnes of the commodity, aimed to plug demand and supply gap in the country.
They said that the booked commodity would reach Karachi port sometime in August, which would then be processed and made into Mash pulse. "Some of the importers had placed fresh orders of around 200 containers or 5,000 tonnes of black matpe in Burma last month (June), which is due here in the month of August," said an importer.
He added that the black matpe is barely available in Burma because of crop shortage around the world. Commenting on the prices, one importer said that the commodity has been booked at an average price of $675 per tonne, adding that fluctuation in prices of black matpe could be seen due to shortage of this commodity and tremendous demand world over.
He said that the commodity was earlier tagged at around $600 per tonne, however when the importers of India and Pakistan approached the Burmese market, the commodity touched its peak at around $700 per tonne.
However, he said when the demand decreases, the prices went down by $25 per tonne, which made the trade viable for the local importers and they immediately booked 5,000 tonnes of black matpe. Traders pointed out that the imported commodity of $675 per tonne would be tagged at around Rs 54 per kg at the local wholesale market.
"The black matpe would cost around Rs 44 per kg when it would arrive at the Karachi port, however, Rs 10 per kg would be added in making it into Mash pulse," he added. Sources said that the importers have booked orders of black matpe despite rise in the international prices.
"Albeit, the international prices are higher, we had placed some orders in Burma after studying the local market trend where this commodity is being tagged at Rs58 per kg," importers said. The importers have also hinted of more placements of huge orders of black matpe in Burma. "Our market analysis indicates that the country still needs 55,000 tonnes of this commodity for consumption during the current fiscal (2006-07)," they added.
Senior traders said that the importers would place big orders for black matpe in October for the November crop through 'forward deals'. The country's black matpe consumption stands around 75,000 tonnes and its local production is estimated around 18,000 tonnes to 20,000 tonnes, while the remaining demand is filled through import of around 60,000 tonnes mainly from Burma.