Dry fruits may upset Diwali budgets this year

AHMEDABAD: Don't be surprised if the customary Diwali gifts of dry fruits come in small packets this festive season. Amdavadis are already feeling the pinch of skyrocketing prices of dry fruits, with almonds, pistachios and walnuts costlier by 15% to 40%.
The cost of almonds has increased from Rs 460 to Rs 640 a kg as compared to last year Diwali prices, making the much favoured dry fruit 40% pricier this year.Walnut prices have risen from Rs 450 to Rs 560 per kg, while pistachio rates have risen from Rs 750 to Rs 870 per kg.
Wholesale trader of dry fruits in Kalupur, Rajesh Motiani, says almonds are the worst hit this year. "They are imported from California. Because of the US dollar's impact on the rupee, we have seen a phenomenal rise in its prices," he said.
Motiani further said that cashew is made available from produce in India, and so its price has increased nominally, just by 5% to 7%. Varieties of cashew are available in the price range starting from Rs 560 to Rs 880 per kg in the wholesale market, while this price goes up to Rs 1,100 in retail shops. The price of figs, apricots and raisins have gone up by 5-10%, as compared to last Diwali.
Madhupura-based wholesale trader of dry fruits Kaival Patel, says, "Every year there is a usual increase of 5-10% in the price of dry fruits but this year this rise has been remarkable. We can see customers getting upset with the price rise."
Motiani said that because of high prices, many people have cut down on the quantity of dry fruits they buy by up to 50%. Shailesh Shah, a businessman, says, "Every Diwali, I distribute dry fruit boxes to my employees, family and friends. But because of the steep increase in costs of dry fruits this year, I plan to gift sweets instead."
Dry fruit importer Dharmesh Pariyani says he imports dry fruits from California in the US, Iran and Afghanistan. "The imported varieties, especially almonds, have become unreasonably costly this year, because of the dollar-rupee equation," Pariyani said. He, however, added that the price rise in dry fruits won't affect the festive spirit of Amdavadis.
Rates in wholesale market (per kg)
Cashew Rs 560 - Rs 880
Almond Rs 640 - Rs 720
Pistachio Rs 720 - Rs 880
Walnut Rs 250 - Rs 560
Raisin Rs 180 - Rs 280
Fig Rs 400 - Rs 450
Apricot Rs 480 - Rs 560