Pulses Price in Pakistan (Latest Guide)
In South Asia, particularly in Pakistan, pulses aren’t just food – they’re a fundamental part of our daily meals. Their prices range from Rs. 235 to Rs. 468 per kilogram, depending on the type. These nutritional powerhouses, such as peas, beans, and lentils, are deeply ingrained in our traditional cuisine, providing an abundant source of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
In a country where economic constraints may limit meat consumption, pulses emerge as a versatile and budget-friendly dietary staple. Their significance goes beyond mere affordability; they play a vital role in cherished recipes passed down through generations.
From the aromatic daal-roti to the hearty daal-chaawal, the pulses we consume in Pakistan not only meet our daily nutritional needs but also embody a culinary heritage that withstands the test of time.
Current Prices of Pulses in Pakistan
| Pulse Type | Price per Kilogram (PKR) | Region |
| Chana Daal | 138 – 140 | Nationwide |
| Daal Mash | 550 | Nationwide |
| Daal Mash Chilka | 450 – 550 | Nationwide |
| Daal Mong | 102 – 112 | Nationwide |
| Black Gram | 220 | Nationwide |
| Dal Masoor | 310 | Nationwide |
| Masoor Whole | 310 | Nationwide |
| Red Lobia (Bold) | 270 | Nationwide |
| Moong washed | 200 | Nationwide |
| Dal Chana | 220 | Nationwide |
Factors Influencing Pulses Prices in Pakistan
The cost of pulses in Pakistan is shaped by different things like how much is available, how much people want them, government rules, and trading with other countries. When there’s more demand than supply, prices go up, and vice versa. Pulses don’t change much in how much people buy them when they earn more money.
Most of the time, pulses are grown in places where the land isn’t so good for other crops. This makes the amount of pulses produced go up and down, affecting the prices. The government also plays a big part. They set a price for wheat, which makes farmers less interested in growing pulses because it’s riskier and less profitable.
Adding taxes on exporting pulses raises prices at home. Some experts suggest that the government should remove the export tax, stop giving subsidies to farmers, and not set prices for wheat and sugarcane. Trading with other countries matters too. If it’s hard to get the money or permission to buy pulses from other countries, it can make the prices go up. If Pakistan doesn’t have enough money or has trouble buying pulses, the prices could keep going higher.
Pulses Production in Pakistan
Understanding the Importance of Pulses in Pakistani Diets
Pulses play a crucial role in the diets of many Pakistanis, offering vital proteins, minerals, vitamins, and fiber. Despite their nutritional value, the local production of pulses falls short of meeting the high demand, prompting the need for imports.
Surveying Pulses Production in Pakistan
In Pakistan, pulses are cultivated on approximately 5% of the total cropped area, with over 60% of the yield catering to human consumption. The expansive cultivation of major pulse crops spans about 1.3 million hectares. Key pulse varieties include chickpea, lentil, mung bean, and black gram or mashed bean. Notably, chickpea dominates winter legumes, while mung takes the lead in summer.
Identifying Prime Pulse Cultivation Regions
Pulse cultivation thrives in diverse regions across Pakistan. The Thal desert in western Punjab and the rainfed areas of northern Punjab are primary zones for chickpeas and mash cultivation. Narowal, Sialkot, and Rawalpindi districts boast significant land devoted to mash cultivation, while Rawalpindi and Chakwal lead in masoor cultivation. The Thal region stands out as the major contributor to chickpea production, contributing a substantial 80% to the overall yield.
Challenges and Opportunities in Pulses Production
Pulse production in Pakistan encounters various hurdles. These challenges involve a lack of inventive programs to enhance crops and distribute seeds. Approximately 80% of pulses come from farmers using their own saved seeds.
Additional factors contributing to low production include environmental stresses like drought, heat, and salinity, as well as pests and diseases. Soil-related issues such as marginal lands, alkaline soils, and erosion, along with climate changes, lack of specialized farming tools, post-harvest losses, and marketing problems, also play a role.
Despite these challenges, there are promising chances to boost pulse production in Pakistan. These opportunities involve improving crops by creating varieties that grow quickly, yield more, and resist diseases and climate change. Intercropping and using pulses as catch crops can also help.
Adopting conservation agriculture can save resources, and enhancing the system for distributing certified seeds is crucial. Providing specialized farming tools for different crops, creating and sharing production technologies suited to specific locations, and improving seeds are essential steps forward.
Conclusion
Getting a handle on how pulse prices work in Pakistan matters a lot, whether you’re a consumer or a policymaker. Pulses, essential in the Pakistani diet and priced between Rs. 235 to Rs. 468 per kilogram, are influenced by a few things like how much is available, government rules, and trading with other countries.
Despite the challenges faced in growing pulses, there are chances to make things better. If we truly understand these factors, it can help us make smarter decisions. This, in turn, might lead to more steady and reasonable prices for pulses. That’s good news for the folks who eat them for nutrition and the farmers who work hard to grow them.
