Mumbai: The long-drawn conflict between USA-Israel and Iran, which came to a flash point on Saturday, and the parallel war between Afghanistan and Pakistan have cast a shadow over the import of nuts and dried fruit to India. India imports figs, almonds, pistachios, raisins, saffron and apricots from Iran and Afghanistan.Prices have been rising since the US first attacked Iran in June 2025. In Oct, Pakistan stormed Afghanistan, causing disruption in supplies to India. Saturday’s developments in the Middle East will aggravate further shortages.
TOI interviewed dry fruit wholesalers and retailers in APMC Vashi, Crawford Market, Masjid Bunder and Malad who say prices have been escalating steadily.“Supplies of dry fruit and nuts may be entirely halted and we will have to manage with existing stock. Already, despatches from Afghanistan are being routed through Iran port since direct shipments via the Wagah Border in Amritsar were halted in the wake of the India-Pakistan conflict two years ago. The closure of this lone Iranian route will choke off arrivals completely,” said Vijay Bhuta, president, Mumbai Dryfruit and Date Merchants Association, and director, APMC.Bhuta quantified the price hike at 5%. But other traders say the quantum of increase is far higher. Baban Pawar of A-1 Dryfruit, Crawford Market, said, “Iranian imports like pista, apricot, mamra badam and saffron are costlier by 20-30% on average, even double in certain cases. The wholesale rate of mamra almond has risen from Rs 1,800 in Oct to Rs 2,800 per kg today. Irani pista has gone up from Rs 840 to Rs 1,300. Irani apricot was Rs 750 in Dec 2025, now it is Rs 1,400. Consumers who were buying one kg are now buying quarter kg. Sale is down by 50% since 2025.”Mehul Gala from Malad said, “If Iran closes its borders completely, imports from there will halt. Transportation of dry fruits from Afghanistan will also suffer. Afghan dry fruits could see a price hike or supply scarcity in the short term. Major markets in Mumbai and Delhi have withdrawn previous prices. New rates will be announced.”Bulk buyers like sweetmeat makers, hotels and restaurants, bakers and confectioners, dairies, snack makers, caterers, home chefs, processed food industry — even cosmetics — will bear the brunt.Vicky Jaisinghani of A-1 Sweets, Ulhasnagar, said, “Imported Pishori pista has gone up from Rs 2,600 to Rs 3,400 per kilo. Iranian pista was Rs 1,650, it is now Rs 2,400. But we have to buy because our mithai will not retain its taste unless we use Pishori pista.”Mayur Shah of Pravinchandra & Co. in Masjid Bunder said, “We have not hiked our rates, but may do so once existing stocks are over. Cashews are sourced within India while almonds also come from California. But imported anjeer, pista, saffron and apricots will be impacted. It will affect the wedding season which will peak soon.”
