Pakistan has traded five vessels, totaling around 275,000 MT of sorghum, at prices above USD 255 per ton, marking a import of sorghum after a decade. However, no shipments have been departed so far, as the shipments are reportedly undergoing pest risk assessment.
These vessels have been sourced from the United States, and since Pakistan has not imported sorghum from the U.S., the consignments are subject to regulatory scrutiny to ensure they meet plant health and pest safety standards. Approval from the Plant Regulatory Authority (PRA) is required before import permits can be issued to the buyers.
Initially, the arrival of sorghum shipments was expected to begin in November, but due to ongoing assessment procedures, the first vessel may subject to approval now arrive in December, with subsequent shipments following thereafter.
Currently, local market is trading at prices above the expected import parity level, reflecting tight domestic supply and anticipation of imported stocks. Once the bulk of these imports arrive, local prices are likely to adjust downward, potentially easing the pressure on domestic buyers and aligning closer to global market rates.
