The decision of Iranian traders to export chickpeas directly to Pakistan instead of bringing the cargo to Dubai has badly affected the UAE’s trade in this commodity, Dubai importers were quoted as saying by Khaleej Times on Saturday.
The local price for chickpea is about $700 per ton, and businessmen were hoping it went down to $650 per ton. The Iranians’ decision was disappointment to them.
But Iranian traders opted for direct exports to Pakistan, from where a little of the commodity is smuggled into India, securing huge savings on transportation costs. A lot of cargo is going to Pakistan on barter base - chickpeas-for-rice, according to Khaleej Times.
Meanwhile, prices for cumin seeds have further gone up, traders told the Gulf paper.
Iranian cumin seeds cost $2,150 per ton while the Syrian and Afghani varieties are quoted at $1,900 per ton, they said – Albawaba.com
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