Dry Fruit Prices Soar As India-Pakistan Rift Chokes Asia's Largest Spice Hub In Delhi

News18

22-05-2025

Last Updated:
With India-Pakistan borders shut and consignments stranded en route, Khari Baoli, Asia's largest dry fruit market in Delhi, reels under a supply crunch and prices soaring high.
The bustling lanes of Delhi's Khari Baoli, once echoing with the sound of buyers bargaining over almonds and apricots, now lie eerily quiet. Known as Asia's largest spice market, this historic trading hub in Old Delhi has been brought to a virtual standstill by escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.
With borders shut and consignments stranded en route, the heart of India's dry fruit trade is reeling under a severe supply crunch, sending prices soaring and driving customers away.
'We've never seen the market this lifeless," said Ayan, a dry fruit trader who has been operating in Khari Baoli for over a decade. Since tensions flared between India and Pakistan, borders have remained closed and supply has been completely choked. The dry fruits we receive are of substandard quality, he said.
Ayan's account paints a grim picture of the market's condition: prices have surged by Rs 300 to Rs 400 per kg across the board, with some premium varieties touching unprecedented highs. Makhana, for instance, now sells for a staggering Rs 1,800 per kg, nearly double its usual rate. 'Earlier, people would come and buy half a kg, sometimes even more. Now, there's barely anyone. The footfall is close to zero," Ayan added.
Pawanjit Singh, another trader, expressed concern over the uncertainty surrounding the reopening of trade routes. We are in constant touch with suppliers across the country. Everyone is waiting. If the border doesn't reopen in the next couple of weeks, we might be staring at a prolonged crisis. Prices are not expected to normalise for at least two more months, he stated.
The ripple effect of the supply disruption has caused a 20% to 40% hike in dry fruit prices in just three weeks.
Manoj Kumar, another veteran trader, revealed the broader logistical chaos that has engulfed the trade. 'Many of our consignments are stuck at the borders. Some were turned back mid-route. With goods not arriving and no clarity on timelines, we're losing customers and money. There's a shortage in every category," he said.
Phoolwant, a wholesaler, highlighted the financial losses already incurred, saying that payments had been made in advance to the suppliers and now, the goods are stuck. 'We have no way to recover the money. There's no business happening, just losses mounting by the day," he said.
Adding to the crisis is the sudden disappearance of dates from the market. 'You can't find dates anywhere," said Pulvinder, a dry fruit merchant, adding that dates have entirely vanished from the shelves. And if someone does have them, they're selling them at cutthroat prices, he said.
The situation at Khari Baoli reflects a larger economic vulnerability where trade disruptions, rooted in geopolitical conflict, rapidly trickle down to consumer markets.
First Published:
May 22, 2025, 15:16 IST