06 June 2004	Sunday	17 Rabi-us-Saani 1425

KARACHI, June 5: Slow arrival of Chinese ginger in the last three months has played havoc with the local prices, which have risen to Rs100-120 per kg as compared to Rs40 per kg a few months back. Importers anticipate a price drop in September when Thailand ginger lands into Pakistan at low rates.

Currently 200 tons of Chinese ginger are finding way into the market every week as compared to 400 tons every week three months back. As a result, the markets are facing shortage of the commodity and its rate in the Super Highway Subzi Mandi ranges between Rs80-90 per kg depending on the quality as compared to Rs20-22 per kg a few months back.

Retailers are capitalizing on the situation by charging prices on their own hovering between Rs100-120 per kg depending on the area.

Vice President, Falahi Anjuman Wholesale Vegetable Market, Sabzi Mandi, Haji Alimuddin said that the rate of Chinese ginger has surged phenomenally to $1,400 per tons (C&F Karachi), which was ranging between $350-400 per ton six months back.

He said rates of ginger had gone up in China because of poor crop and majority of countries world-over heavily buy the commodity from China.

Ginger prices may remain under pressure till August end. Local prices are expected to stabilize when importers would bring ginger from the Thailand crop at the rate of $260-320 per ton from early September.

Pakistan usually buy Chinese ginger during January-June season besides meeting the rest of the demand from Thailand, Indonesia, the Philippines and India in other months. Ginger rate in the Philippines and Indonesia are prevailing at $800 per ton.

He said that ginger had never been produced in Pakistan due to problem of weather conditions as the commodity was harvested in areas where the weather was cloudy and rainy. Such particular areas do not exist in Pakistan that was why the country had to meet the entire weekly requirement of 400 tons from various foreign destinations.

Alimuddin recalled that Pakistan used to consume ginger when Bangladesh was part of Pakistan. After the fall of East Pakistan, the country has been meeting the entire demand from imports.

Like onion, potato, tomato, garlic etc - ginger is also an essential kitchen items, being used and served in various dishes.