Dry fruits form a major part of Afghanistan’s most exported agricultural products. India imports a variety of dry fruits from Afghanistan. The Taliban takeover of Afghanistan and the growing geopolitical tensions has made the trade of dry fruits difficult, resulting in soaring prices in the Indian market.
Disruption Of Trade
With the Taliban takeover, India’s trade with Afghanistan has come to a halt. Many Afghani traders have expressed concerns over dwindling trade relations between the two countries.
The Afghan traders worry that if the current situation doesn’t change for the better, there would be complete disruption of dry fruits trade with India.
Spike In Prices Of Dry Fruits In India
According to a report by the Union Ministry of Trade and Commerce, India imports about 85% of dry fruits from Afghanistan. Dry fruits are vital for the preparation of various Indian delicacies, especially during festivals like Diwali and Ganesh Chaturthi when their demand is high.
Afghanistan imports apricot and fig (khubani, anjeer) for the Indian markets. Other than that, mamra or gurbandi almonds, small pistachio nuts, walnuts, almonds, pine nuts, and spices like shahi jeera and hing are also among those items supplied by Afghanistan.
Also Read: What Lies Ahead For Kashmir Amidst A Taliban Government In Afghanistan?
The disruption of trade amidst the Taliban takeover has led to a spike in prices of dry fruits in India upto 30-70%.
According to wholesalers, the prices of dry fruits have increased by Rs.300-500 per kg.
The almonds that were sold at Rs. 700-800 per kg, are being sold at 1,100-1,500 per kg. The prices of anjeer have increased to Rs 1,300-1,700/kg from Rs 900-950.
Likewise, the prices of all dry fruits started to increase in mid-august after the Taliban’s victory in Afghanistan. Fortunately, Indian traders were relieved when their consignments of dry fruits like small pistachios, raisins, apricots, asafoetida and shah jeera arrived from Afghanistan after lying in transit at the Wagah border for a long time.
“Following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, we were unsure whether the dry fruits that were in transit will at all arrive in the Indian market. But fortunately, the consignments have arrived and we are able to cater to the market,” Vijay Kumar Bhuta, President of the Bombay Dry Fruits and Date Merchants Association, told Economic Times.
Impact Of Taliban Crisis On Indian Dry Fruits Industry
The Taliban crisis in Afghanistan resulted in rising prices of dry fruits in the Indian market causing trouble for traders and consumers alike.
But, luckily, the supply of dry fruits from Afghanistan began, making things better for Indian traders. It is being predicted that the Taliban crisis would not have a long-lasting impact on the Indian dry fruits market and the trade relations between the two countries would not be affected.
If the condition doesn’t improve, the Indian traders would look for sourcing dry fruits from Turkey, Singapore and Dubai to meet the required demand.
Image credits: Google images
Sources: The Economic Times, The Print, The Hindu
Find the blogger: @fulara_richa
This post is tagged under Indian dry fruits industry, dry fruits, Indian dry fruits, Taliban crisis, Taliban takeover, Taliban, Taliban, Taliban Afghanistan, Afghanistan, Afghanistan crisis, impact of Taliban takeover on Indian dry fruits industry, dry fruits trade, Taliban impact on Indian trade, India Afghanistan trade, trade relations, trade of dry fruits, dry fruits in India, raisins, walnuts, almonds, Afghanistan India trade relations, trading, trade, India imports dry fruits
Other Recommendations:
Dangerous Role Of Pakistan In The Taliban’s Government Formation In Afghanistan
