KARACHI, Aug 9: Import of meat from regional countries including India, China and Middle East is gaining momentum as in May-July around 730 tons of beef and 70 tons of mutton reached the country. Although the import was going on for the last six months, it remained very slow. However, in last three months some leading importers entered the trade, which accelerated the imports.

According to importers during the month of May 179 tons of beef (buffalo and ox) was imported whereas in June and July 328 tons and 224 tons were imported respectively. Similarly, mutton import in May stood at 16 tons, June and July at 18 and 36 tons respectively.

On Tuesday three containers, each loaded with 28 tons of beef from India were unloaded at the Karachi Port and couple of containers carrying mutton (goat meat) from China were also cleared by the customs.

Importers feel that much larger quantities of imported meat have yet to make its way into the local market as traders are reluctant to enter into big import consignments of both mutton and beef.

“Once import cost was established and acceptance of imported meat in the domestic market increases it is hoped that larger quantities will be imported to meet the shortage,” another importer said.

As per initial feedback from the local market the imported beef was easily competing as the landed cost is quite reasonable even after paying around $1250 per ton to Indian exporters, he observed. The landed cost of imported beef is being estimated to be around Rs55 to Rs60 per kg, importers said.

Much of the imported mutton is finding its way into wholesale markets of Liquatbad, Bhans Colony, New Town market with some going directly to such retailers as Nihariwalas, he added.

The import of mutton is also gradually increasing. Its landed cost, according to importers, is at around Rs130 per kg as they are paying an average $1900 to $1950 per ton to exporters of China, India and Middle East states.

It is hoped that once the volume of imports increases the overhead costs would decline that would not only benefit importers in shape of better margins but the consumers as well as they would pay less price.

“We feel if monthly import of meat goes up to 1000 containers it will help importers as well as consumers as both will be paying lesser cost at their ends,” another importer said. Four containers loaded with mutton from China are on their way and are expected to reach Karachi port within a week.

Meanwhile, quarantine department of Ministry of Agriculture and Food has waved Rs100 being charged from importers on each live animal. Importers said this would directly affect prices in retail market between Rs2 to Rs4 per kg.

They further said that transfer of some of the officials from the Quarantine Department had also helped in bringing down the cost of imported meat as importers were being harassed and they had to pay between Rs25,000 to Rs30,000 per container.

The import of live animals from India is expected to start after August 15 when monsoon season would slightly recede and country crafts would start sailing between Mumbai and Karachi.

“Already some of the importers have entered into contracts with Indian exporters and on an average the price of live goat is being quoted between $25 to $50 depending on size and breed,” importers said. The price of live animals in Northern India was much higher compared to those being imported from southern India, they added.