Whole black matpe (Mash whole) import has been suspended due to rising prices in global market that has touched its ceiling during the last one-and-half months, trade sources told Business Recorder on Thursday.
They said the local importers have stopped placing orders in Myanmar (Burma) for the import of whole black Mash as the commodity is now ranging between $830 and $930 per ton during the last 45 days, which was earlier tagged between $600 and $700 per ton.
"Not a single fresh import order has been placed since September," said Anis Majeed, adviser to Karachi Wholesale Grocers Association (KWGA) when contacted.
He said that whole black matpe import is not viable anymore as its prices have jumped by $130 per ton during the last one-and-half months due to crop shortage in Burma - one of the world''s largest exporter of whole black matpe.
"Another reason of international price spike is that India has recently imported this commodity from Myanmar at comparatively higher rates and this has compelled the Burmese traders to keep their commodity''s prices higher or stagnant," Anis Majeed remarked.
Local importers also bring in Thai gram as well, however, its share currently stands at 5 percent of the total country''s import. "Thailand would receive its fresh crop of whole black Mash in November, however, the Thai traders would sell their commodity according to the price list available on the international front and we do not see any price decline in the next few weeks," another importer said.
"If we start bring in whole black matpe from Burma at $830-$930 per ton, it would cost (landed cost) around Rs 54 per kg and Rs 61 per kg, while the previously imported commodity costs Rs 41 per kg.
He said the same commodity is also being imported from Qandhar by road and the market has handsome stocks in hand and that is why the prices have not gone up sharply in the domestic market.
Local importers are of the view that the trade would be viable when the international prices would cut down by $130 per ton to $600 per ton. Traders said that Myanmar would harvest a smart crop during February and March, next year and then the prices could be dropped significantly.
The country''s black Mash consumption stands around 75,000 tonnes and its local production is estimated around 18,000 to 20,000 tons, while the remaining demand is filled through import of around 60,000 tonnes mainly from Myanmar.