Dry Fruit Prices Skyrocket in Twin Cities as Winter Approaches
Islamabad: With the onset of winter, prices of dry fruits have soared in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, and adjoining areas including Murree, Kotli Sattian, Gujar Khan, Chak Beli Khan, Taxila, Wah Cantt, Hasan Abdal, Rawat, Fateh Jang, Hazro, and Kallar Syedan.
According to details, shopkeepers are reportedly charging citizens exorbitant prices for dry fruits. Residents have urged the district price control committees to take immediate action against profiteering.
Local citizens, including Shakeel Sheikh, Zahid Khan, and Rizwan Ahmad Abbasi, said traders raise prices unreasonably before the start of the cold season, as demand increases particularly in hilly areas like Murree.
Most dry fruits are reportedly smuggled from Iran and Afghanistan. Current market rates include peanuts at Rs450–650 per kg, pine nuts at Rs7,000–14,000 per kg, almonds at Rs3,000–4,000 per kg, cashews at Rs3,000–4,000 per kg, paper-shell walnuts at Rs800–2,000 per kg, pistachios at Rs3,000–4,000 per kg, raisins at Rs700–1,000 per kg, and *rewri* (sweet sesame candy) at Rs600–800 per kg.
Consumers also complained that most shops lack official price lists, and many traders—mainly Afghan merchants—are selling at self-determined rates. Wholesale markets are located in Rawalpindi’s Narankari Bazaar, while major retail outlets are found in Cantt areas like Canning Road, Bank Road, and Kashmir Road, as well as Islamabad’s Aabpara Market, Jinnah Super, F-10 Markaz, and PWD.
A spokesperson for the Dry Fruits Merchants Association stated that the global annual demand for dry fruits is about 1.05 million tons, with Pakistan exporting around 10,000 tons annually, earning nearly $100 million in foreign exchange.
The global dry fruit trade is valued at approximately $35 billion annually. In Swat alone, production reaches 73,265 tons, but due to lack of modern processing facilities, around 34,000 tons of fruits and nuts go to waste each year.
The spokesperson added that if the government provides better facilities and curbs smuggling from Afghanistan and Iran, local production could increase significantly—making dry fruits more affordable for Pakistani consumers.
