Dried fruits became more expensive in India, causing a crisis on trade worth Rs 500 crore in Punjab

New Delhi, Dt

The Taliban's occupation of Afghanistan has halted trade worth crores of rupees in Punjab and pushed up the price of dried fruits in the country. In Punjab, the price of dried fruits from Afghanistan has doubled. It is hoped, however, that trade will continue despite the Taliban's occupation of Afghanistan. However, traders are worried about when the currently disrupted trade will get back on track.

Dried fruits are imported from Afghanistan to India and supplied to other parts of the country via Punjab. However, due to the conflict with the Taliban, trade with Afghanistan has been completely cut off and dried fruits have not been supplied.

Dried fruits from Afghanistan through the Attari border cost about Rs. 2,500 crore is traded. Dried fruits are imported from Afghanistan including almonds, figs, walnuts, cashews, pistachios, pomegranates, carrots, apples, grapes, asafoetida, saffron, raisins, cinnamon and many more. The crop is ready in Afghanistan in August and its import starts in India.

This time, however, trade worth crores of rupees has stalled due to Taliban influence. Now barely two to three trucks can come across the border. Earlier, thirty-eight to ten trucks used to come daily. According to local traders, trade is likely to resume only after a stable government comes to power in Afghanistan. Prices of dried fruits have gone up as imports have stopped. Till two months ago, Rs. Almonds sold at Rs 600 to Rs 800 are now priced at Rs. 1,000. As the festive season begins in India, rising prices of dried fruits will add to the problem.