Key Points:
- West Asia tensions have severely disrupted imports from Iran and Afghanistan.
- Freight and insurance costs have jumped 15% to 30% due to shipping risks in the Persian Gulf.
- Approaching wedding season, starting April 19, is expected to drive demand and prices even higher.
- The weakening Indian Rupee against the US Dollar is further inflating import costs.
- Prices of pistachios, almonds, figs, and dates have surged drastically across major Indian markets.
The escalating conflict between Iran, Israel, and the United States in West Asia is causing severe ripples across global supply chains. In India, this geopolitical crisis has begun to manifest prominently in the dry fruits market, significantly impacting both the import of premium nuts and the export of commodities like rice. With shipments arriving from key suppliers like Iran and Afghanistan facing severe disruptions through the Persian Gulf, consumers are witnessing a sharp, unprecedented surge in the prices of daily essentials like almonds, pistachios, figs, and dates.
Wedding Season to Add Financial Pressure
With the much-anticipated wedding season set to commence on April 19, the domestic demand for dry fruits is expected to rise exponentially. This surge in demand, coupled with dwindling supplies, is placing additional financial pressure on the pockets of ordinary consumers. The price of ‘Green Pistachios’, previously trading at ₹1,600 per kg, has jumped by a staggering ₹600 to ₹700, reaching a range of ₹2,200 to ₹2,300 per kg. Similarly, ‘Dodi Pistachios’, which were trading between ₹1,000 and ₹1,100 per kg, have now climbed to ₹1,300 per kg. Gradually, the economic repercussions of the West Asia conflict are beginning to affect every household commodity.
Dates and Almonds See Steep Price Hikes
According to wholesale traders across major hubs like Delhi’s Khari Baoli and Kolkata’s New Market, the prices of almonds, pistachios, pistachio kernels, figs, and dates have witnessed a baseline increase of 10% to 15%, with premium varieties jumping as much as 30% to 50% in recent weeks. The strengthening of the US dollar has also led to a weakening of the Indian Rupee, a currency fluctuation that has had the most pronounced impact on the cost of imported California and Iranian almonds.
Currently, depending on the quality, standard almonds are trading in the wholesale market at rates ranging from ₹700 to ₹1,000 per kg, prices that are considerably higher in the retail market. In some cities, premium Iranian Mamra almonds have nearly doubled in cost due to extreme scarcity. Consequently, consuming dry fruits has become a significantly more expensive proposition for the general public. Meanwhile, regarding figs, smaller varieties are trading between ₹700 and ₹1,000 per kg, while the price for “Extra Bold Premium” quality figs ranges from ₹1,700 to ₹2,000 per kg.
Supply Chain Disruptions and Freight Costs
The latest market updates indicate that the situation is being exacerbated by rising freight charges and insurance premiums, which have increased substantially due to the elevated risks of shipping through conflict zones. Retailers are currently relying on existing stock, but as the crisis persists, fresh supplies remain deeply uncertain and vulnerable to further delays.
Raisins Remain Expensive Despite Arrival of New Crop
New raisins have recently hit the market. While prices initially dropped by up to ₹50, they have since surged once again due to the overarching supply crunch. Raisins, which were selling for ₹200 per kilogram just a year ago, have now reached a price range of ₹400 to ₹450 per kilogram, delivering a severe inflation shock to consumers.
Within this range, prices for lower-grade varieties are reported to be between ₹300 and ₹350 per kilogram, while premium varieties are fetching between ₹550 and ₹600 per kilogram. Meanwhile, black dates, which were previously trading at ₹150 per kilogram in the wholesale market, have also seen a hike of ₹20, reaching a price of ₹170 per kilogram.
