The import of pulses has declined by around 28 percent during the first four months (July-October) of the current fiscal year, said importers on Friday. They said that international price of pulses was higher against its sales in the domestic markets, which made the importers to stop importing the commodity, as a result, import bill came down significantly.
According to official statistics, the country's import of pulses during July-October 2007-08 was 66.450 million dollars as against 91.756 million dollars during the same period the 2006 fiscal year, showing a decline of 25.306 million dollars or 27.58 percent.
During October 2007, the import of pulses tumbled down to 16.414 million dollars from 21.917 million dollars during September 2007, shrinking by 5.503 million dollars or 25.11 percent in a month. However, pulses import surged by 2.03 million dollars or 14 percent during October 2007 as compared to 14.384 million dollars during October 2006.
Karachi Wholesalers Grocers Association (KWGA) Chairmen Anis Majid told Business Recorder that the local purchasing of pulses in the market was thin due to higher prices of imported pulses, causing huge financial losses to importers every month.