Unaffordable Delicacy: Dry fruit prices beyond reach of common man

BY Muzaffar Ali
LAHORE: As soon as winter begins, the prices of dry fruits have increased, and due to the increase in prices, there has been a significant decrease in the sale of dry fruits. This has caused anxiety among shopkeepers who trade in dry fruits.
A shopkeeper said that this year, there has been an increase of 30 to 40 percent in the prices of dry fruits. Due to the increase in prices, he waits for customers from morning till evening. Last year, he used to sell dry fruits worth Rs 30 to 50 thousand daily, but now his daily sales are barely Rs 5 to 10 thousand.
Another shopkeeper said that winter is considered the season for dry fruits, and as soon as winter begins, their sales increase. However, due to inflation and decreased purchasing power, the demand for dry fruits has decreased even in winter. The common man has almost stopped buying dry fruits. Only a few people with more money buy dry fruits, and even they buy less than before.
Shopkeepers say that the current market prices for dry fruits are: pistachios Rs 2800-3000, cashews Rs 3200, pine nuts Rs 8000, dried figs Rs 1800-2200, dried apricots Rs 800-1000, dates Rs 400-600, walnuts Rs 800-1000, almonds Rs 2200-2500, and mongphali Rs 600-750 per kilogram.
Citizens demand that there should be a proper check and balance system on the prices of dry fruits to discourage unjust profiteering and ensure that people can buy dry fruits at fair prices.