Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Thursday, May 18, 2006 |
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Agri-Biz & Commodities
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Foodgrains Industry & Economy - Exports & Imports Now, Pakistan buying Indian chana M.R. Subramani
Last year India imported around 30,000 tonnes from Pakistan; this year it could end up exporting about one lakh tonnes of chick pea, according to pulses traders.
Benaulim (Goa) , May 17 Last year, Pakistan chana (chick pea) found its way into Indian households. This time, it is the other way round, with Indian chana entering the neighbouring country's kitchens in a big way. "We are exporting about 200 containers (of 20 tonnes each) to Pakistan every month. This year Pakistan's crop has been hit by drought," said Mr K.C. Bharatiya, President, Pulses Importers' Association. Lower Pak output According to Mr Anis Majeed of Bombi's group of Pakistan, lack of rains has affected chick pea production. Production in Pakistan is estimated at three lakh tonnes against last year's 10 lakh tonnes last year. Domestic consumption there is 7.5 lakh tonnes, but in view of high prices, it could dip to 6.5 lakh tonnes. With a carryover stock of 1.5 lakh tonnes from last year, Islamabad would have to import at least two lakh tonnes. "Not all of the imports will be chick pea. Substitutes for it could be yellow and dun peas," Mr Majeed said. Last year India imported around 30,000 tonnes from Pakistan; this year it could end up exporting about one lakh tonnes of chick pea, according to pulses traders.
Higher prices
"Pakistan sold chick pea to India last year at $315 a tonne. India is now selling it at $800 a tonne," said a trader. Mr Majeed said that Pakistan was getting chick pea consignments by sea at $815 a tonne. "It now pays to export rather than sell in the domestic market. Exports fetch about Rs 3,200 a tonne, whereas domestic prices are hovering at Rs 2,600 a tonne," said Mr Kumar Jaising, a Mumbai-based importer. According to him, domestic prices could top Rs 3,000 a tonne. One reason for higher chick pea prices in the global market and India doing well on the export front is failure of crop in other competing countries, including China. In China, the move to abolish agricultural tax has resulted in growers shifting to soyabean; along with this, drought has affected production, said a Chinese trade representative. India, on the other hand, has witnessed a rise in production this year after its crop was affected by drought last year. Gram production, which fell to 4.13 million tonnes in 2002-03, staged a recovery to 5.77 million tonnes the next year before dipping to 5.63 million tonnes in 2004-05. During 2005-06, production has been estimated higher at 5.93 million tonnes.
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