KARACHI, April 28: Pakistan is anticipating a 46 per cent rise in the production of various pulses. The cumulative production of pulses is projected at 967,000 tons this year as compared to last year’s production of 662,000 tons—thanks mainly to an expected increase in production of desi chick peas (DCP) and lentils (masur whole) by 58 and 80 per cent this year owing to timely rains in Punjab and Sindh.

Production of desi chick peas is estimated to touch 750,000 tons this year as against last year’s production of 475,000 tons. Out of total annual consumption of 600,000 tons of desi chick peas, pulses dealers are expecting a surplus of 150,000 tons.

“Import will surely come down this year as compared to last year’s import of 148,000 tons of desi chick peas,” Chairman Karachi Wholesale Grocers Association (KWGA), Anis Majeed told Dawn on Monday.

“Our members are eying India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and some Gulf countries to export surplus DCP this year if they will be able to compete in the price and quality with other countries,” he said adding that his association has compiled a data regarding forecast of production and import.

In lentils (masur whole), production is estimated at 45,000 tons as compared to last year’s 25,000 tons. Consumption of lentils last year stood at 100,000 tons and importers brought in 99,000 tons in 2002 mainly from America, Australia, China, Canada, Turkey, Nepal, India, Iran and Ethiopia.

Anis said that markets have still got last year’s stocks which will be consumed with the passage of time. He said imports will definitely take place despite good prospects in crop this year.

The annual consumption of green mung beans (GMB) is estimated at 100,000 tons. Production last year was 115,000 tons and the surplus was exported to neighbouring countries.

Some four years back, Pakistan used to import GMB from China, Australia and Myanmar as the crop was less than country’s consumption. For the last three years, Pakistan is exporting a surplus of 10,000-25,000 tons to India and other neighbouring countries. KWGA chief said that production of GMB is expected to touch 120,000 tons this year, up by 5,000 tons from last year.

The consumption and demand of Black Matpe (mash whole) is 80,000 tons per annum as against the production of 22,000 tons. Pakistan has imported 68,000 tons in 2002 from Mynamar and Thailand which is more than the country’s requirement. As a result, prices came down in local markets because of excess quantities. He said this year also the country expects the same production i.e. 22,000 tons.

In other items, annual consumption of red kidney bean (RKB) is 40,000 tons. The country imported 45,000 tons last year, while local production stood at 5,000 tons.

Pakistan does not produce yellow peas/DUN peas. However, import in 2002 was estimated at 95,000 tons as compared to yearly consumption of 100,000 tons.

Kabuli Chic Peas’s production in 2003 would reach to 25,000 tons from 20,000 last year. Its annual consumption is 60,000 tons while Pakistan has imported 43,000 tons last year.

Anis said that timely rains in Sindh and Punjab can be attributed to increase in production of various pulses which may help in reducing dependence on imports to some extent.

If all the seven items, mentioned above, are taken together then the total annual consumption of pulses comes to 1.08 million tons. Local production stood at 662,000 tons last year. Production of pulses would touch to 967,000 tons this year. Imports in 2002 were 498,000 tons.