As Wagah-Atari trade shuts down, dry fruit prices go up

By: Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar: The recent closure of the Attari-Wagah border following the Pahalgam terror attack has impacted the import of dry fruits from Afghanistan to India. Experts predict that this interruption will have considerable effects on the domestic dry fruit market, especially in Kashmir.

Dry fruit dealers say that prices for certain dry fruits have already risen by approximately 10-15 per cent in the past week. They warned that if the disruptions continue, prices are likely to increase further in the coming days.

On average, between 15 and 20 trucks carrying dry fruits used to cross into India daily via the Wagah border, with numbers rising during festivals like Diwali.

Due to the closure of the Attari-Wagah border since April 22, many trucks carrying perishable goods have reportedly returned without delivering supplies, creating a supply gap that might benefit local producers.

Local traders and associations in Kashmir said the reduced competition from Afghan imports could boost the demand and value for indigenous products such as Kashmiri almonds, walnuts and saffron. This shift may lead to better prices and increased market share for local farmers and traders.

Bahadur Khan, President of the Dry Fruit Association of Kashmir, said imports of dry fruits from other countries should be halted to enhance the value of local products. He lamented the cutting down of almond and walnut trees in Kashmir due to the availability of dry fruits from abroad.

“Despite the superior taste and quality of local dry fruits, consumers often prefer the imported versions based on their size and shape, rather than considering flavour,” Khan said.

He added that while prices for many items have increased, the prices of Kashmiri almonds, walnuts and other products have remained stagnant. “When we were buying a 15 kg tin of mustard oil for Rs 1,000, the price of walnut kernels was around Rs 500 per kg, and that remains the same,” he said.

Khan held the horticulture department responsible for the decline of Kashmir’s dry fruit industry. —(KNO)