MARKET PROSPECTS FOR PULSES IN SOUTH ASIA:
INTERNATIONAL AND DOMESTIC TRADE.
(ST/ESCAP/1825), 1997
Series: Studies in Trade and Investment No. 30
This study was commissioned to assess the future trade potential of selected
pulses, namely: chickpea, black gram, mungbean, lentil and pigeonpea, in
South Asia based on recent trends and prospects in production, consumption,
and marketing systems. The countries selected include: India, Pakistan, and Sri
Lanka as well as Myanmar which was found to play a large role in the South
Asian pulses economy as one of the major suppliers.
The ESCAP Regional Coordination Centre for Research and Development of
Coarse Grains, Pulses, Roots and Tuber Crops in the Humid Tropics of Asia
and the Pacific (CGPRT), together with national experts, analyzed and
underlined the dynamic nature of market development in pulses over the past
10 years. It shows that international trade in crops such as pulses which are
usually thought of as marginal land crops, is increasing in importance, and that
related changes are occurring in production centres in response to new
challenges.
In the South Asian countries, consumption of pulses continues to increase and
shortfall in the production has to be met through import. The South Asian
subregion therefore offers considerable potential for future growth in trade in
pulses.
For further information, please contact:
The Director
International Trade and Economic Cooperation Division
Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP)
United Nations Building
Rajadamnern Avenue
Bangkok 10200 Thailand
Tel. (662) 288 1410, 288 1431
Fax. (662) 288 1026, 288 1027
E-mail: vignuda.unescap@un.org,
Trade_inf.unescap@un.org