Cold weather has contributed to increase in dry fruits demand but unfortunately it has also hiked prices to the level that common man considers it beyond their purchasing power. Dry fruits of all kind are available at the stores but the high prices compelled many to stay away from them. Dry fruit vendors are also offering a number of dry fruits at their carts after the decrease of mercury in the city but retail sell has not gained momentum while sale at wholesale has gone relatively high.

The regular shopkeepers and vendors have expressed hope that demand will go up considerably. The prices of dry fruits including almond, pistachio, walnut, pine nut, dates, cashew nut, dried apricot, coconut, fig and peanut have been soared as compared to the last year's prices. This hike is due to rising cost of transportation and of doing business, said a vendor.

Shops' owners said that the sale of dry fruits is still sluggish as compared to previous years because of surging prices in addition to the rising cost of living. Dry fruits are mainly imported from Afghanistan, Iran, USA and India while some varieties are also grown, locally. Traders also attribute the rise in prices to slow growth and costly imports and low production in the country.

Already overburdened by the unprecedented increase in prices of essential commodities during the last few years, it is estimated that over 30% customers have abandoned buying dry fruits as compared to previous yeas. It is also said that general public had already stopped purchasing any extra item just to save something to feed their children.

During visits to some of the markets of the dry fruits it was revealed that demand of most of the dry fruits has plunged sharply during the current winter season on account of inflated prices. Chilghoza is being sold at Rs 3,600 per kilogram against Rs 2,400 per kg last year; Cashew nut (kaju) at Rs 1,600 to Rs 1,800 per kg compared to Rs 1,100-1,2000 a year ago. Sellers on handcarts are selling the Parachinar variety of the commodity at Rs 400 per kg and the interior Sindh quality at Rs 240 to Rs 320 per kg. As people cannot differentiate between Parachinar and other varieties, these sellers reportedly mix the two qualities but charge consumers for Parachinar. Dry apricot prices have also doubled to Rs 1,200 per kg. Prices of American Almond are almost unchanged at Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,400 per kg. However, retailers are selling the high-quality variety at Rs 1,600 per kg. Salted pistachios (pista) are available at Rs 1,200-1,400 per kg in the wholesale market, but retailers are charging Rs 1,600 per kg from the end users. Peeled pistachios are available at Rs 2,800 per kg as compared to Rs 2,400 last year.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2017