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Country to face shortage of moong pulse

* Illegal export to India via Kashmir border main reason behind shortfall

By Tanveer Sher

KARACHI: Pakistan is likely to face acute shortage of dal moong (green moong beans) as some exporters are illegally exporting the commodity to India via Kashmir border.

The major compelling factor for its export was attributed by growers and exporters as currently the commodity is highly priced in the international market at $1000 to $ 1100 per metric tonne, which is in sharp contrast to local rates of $600 to $700 per metric tonne.

Talking to the scribe pulses’ exporters claimed that a complete ban is already in place on its export due to less than anticipated crop of 90,000 tonnes to 95,000 tonnes as against the local annual demand of 120,000 tonnes, however the sharp price difference compared to international market has caused its illegal export to India during the last few months.

Chairman Karachi Grocer and Wholesale Group Anees Majeed, who is also ranked as a leading pulses exporter of the country, informed Daily Times that Prime Minister, Yousuf Raza Gilani through a letter dated October 8 was apprised about the massive illegal export of dal moong to India which may cause colossal loss to the national economy.

Copies of the letter were also dispatched to the minister of Commerce, minister of Agriculture and other concerned authorities urging them to use their influence to bring to a halt the ongoing unlawful export of dal moong.

He said unscrupulous elements involved in illegal export of the commodity are not only causing huge financial loss to the country but their misdemeanor may compel the government at a later stage for high cost import.

The production shortfall can be the likely factor for this possible scenario as the country may have to import around 20,000 to 25,000 tonnes of the commodity in the coming days ahead if the current unlawful export was not stopped.

Replying to a question he claimed that for the last 7-year the country had adequate dal moong production, which was enough for meeting the local demand, but owing to lack of the government’s support and attention on other crops including wheat and rice, current shortage of pulses’ yield has hurt financial interest of farmers and growers alike.

The commodity can fetch substantial revenue in terms of export after fulfilling local demands as the pulse growing areas of the country including Thar and Nawabshah in Sindh Mianwali, Layyah and Kallot areas of Punjab have high potential for its massive production.

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