KARACHI, July 27: The government’s decision to ban pulses’ export has resulted in held up of 80-100 containers at the port, which may cause a loss of Rs100-120 million in terms of foreign exchange earnings.

The consignments were destined for Europe, Middle East, and USA etc on which Rs20 million had been paid on account of 35 per cent regulatory duty on export of pulses.

Exporters have sought the government’s help for clearance of shipments of the duty paid consignments to their respective destinations as the delay in shipment will damage the country’s image among the foreign buyers.

The government had imposed a ban on pulses export in order to control the soaring prices ahead of the holy month of Ramazan, which is due to begin from the second week of September.

Prices of almost all the pulses had jumped by Rs2 to Rs8 per kg at retail stage in July because of increase in wholesale prices due to surge in world prices.

Chairman Karachi Wholesale Grocers Association (KWGA) Anis Majeed said he had held a meeting with the exporters to resolve the issue. He said in case the government allowed shipment of the stuck-up consignments of exports, it would not make any impact on the market in terms of prices. He, however, conceded that the ban on pulses exports had arrested any further increase in prices.

However, he said, the exporters had no objection to suspending exports for the time being, but they are more concerned about their consignments on which duty has been paid. Besides, they also fear to lose their foreign buyers in future in case they did not receive the commodity committed.

He said that the association members were in favour of export of pulses and the government should encourage it.

Despite being an agriculture country, Pakistan has to import pulses from various countries to meet the domestic demand. There is a need to enhance production at the domestic level so that it could meet local demand as well as earn foreign exchange for the country.

He said that the exporters were adding value by shipping pulses (split) in packed quantities after importing pulses in (whole) form. The export had generated additional activities in pulses factories based in Punjab and Sindh, besides creating new jobs.