KARACHI, July 26: Prices of pulses and sugar have gone up owing to increase in their international prices and local transportation fares after a substantial rise in petrol and diesel rates.

However, importers have started making additional import of pulses despite rising international prices.

In June 2008 alone, imports stood at 37,700 tons worth $26 million as compared to 29,461 tons ($21.4 million) in May 2008 and 24,192 tons ($14 million) in June 2007.

On the contrary, the overall import of pulses during July-June 2007-2008 fell by 36 per cent in quantity and 18 per cent in value to 333,899 tons ($201 million) as compared to 520,992 tons ($245 million) in 2006-2007 owing to rising prices in world markets.

Some exports of pulses were also made in July-June 2007-2008 to 3,508 tons ($1.6 million) as compared to 17,213 tons ($7.7 million), showing a decline of 79 per cent each in quantity and value, respectively.

According to Karachi Retail Grocers Group secretary-general Mohammad Farid Qureishi, the wholesale price of masoor has shot up to Rs124 from Rs115 per kg while at retail side, it sells at Rs130 as compared to Rs125 per kg.

In the first week of this month, it was selling at Rs118 per kg at the retail level.

Similarly, the wholesale price of gram pulse has surged to Rs62 from Rs60 per kg while its retail price has increased to Rs70 from Rs64-65 per kg.

Moong’s wholesale rate is now quoted at Rs52 as compared to Rs50 per kg while its retail rate is now tagged at Rs58 as compared to Rs55 per kg.

Arhar’s wholesale price has been increased to Rs75 from Rs72 per kg while its retail rate has not yet changed at Rs80-82 per kg.

The wholesale rate of kabli chana (small) has gone up to Rs53 from Rs48 per kg, thus pushing up its retail rate to Rs60 from Rs55 per kg.

Similarly, the wholesale rate of kabli chana (big) is now quoted at Rs72 as compared to Rs70 per kg while its retail price has gone up to Rs82 from Rs80 per kg. In the first week of this month, its retail rate was Rs72 per kg.

Farid said that sugar’s retail rate is Rs32 per kg as compared to Rs30 per kg in the first week of this month after persistent increase in its wholesale rate in the current month.

Currently, its wholesale rate is Rs30.80 per kg. He said increase in transportation charges, coupled with an increase in their international prices, have pushed up rates of pulses.

Karachi Wholesale Grocers Association Chairman Anis Majeed did not agree with some wholesale rates given by Farid Qureishi. He added that masoor’s wholesale rate went up to Rs115 two days back but it again came down to Rs110 per kg.

He said masoor is currently arriving from Canada where the price has reached $1,400 per ton from $1,300 per ton a month back.

Pakistan had a very little crop of 20,000-24,000 tons which hit markets in March/April this year.

According to Anis, the wholesale rate of gram pulse ranges between Rs60 and Rs62 per kg.

The country had a low crop this year of 450,000 tons as compared to last year’s 700,000 tons. Before Ramazan, traders would have to import more to meet the local demand.

He said arhar price had been under pressure as its rate in Burma has surged to $670 per ton from $500 per ton two months back.

He quoted wholesale rate of moong at Rs46 per kg. The new moong crop will start arriving from next month while markets have a carryover stock of 20,000-25,000 tons of last year’s crop of 150,000 tons.

Sugar’s wholesale rate is Rs30.40 per kg and not Rs30.80 per kg as quoted by general secretary of KRGG, he said, adding that the ministry of commerce has been asked to impose a ban on sugar export and remove duty on its import for private sector to stabilise prices. However, he said it would be premature to asses its impact on prices as sizable quantities had already been exported.

According to Federal Bureau of Statistics figures, sugar exports in July-June 2007-2008 stood at 239,130 tons worth $82 million while there was no export of sugar in the previous fiscal year.

Similarly, import of sugar in July-June 2007-2008 stood at 36,605 tons ($15 million) as compared to 586,540 tons ($260 million) in 2006-2007.