11 hours ago
‘A double blow': Imports of dry fruits hit, traders in Khari Baoli tackle challenges
Also by Shreyashi Gupta
The traders in Khari Baoli in Old Delhi, one of India's oldest markets, stare at uncertain times. The imports of dry fruits from Iran have been hit amid escalating geopolitical conflict in West Asia. This latest blow comes at a time merchants are navigating a setback triggered by the closure of the Attari-Wagah border following tensions between India and Pakistan after the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
Sharing his plight, Sudhir Jaggi, President of the Sarve Vyapar Mandal of the Khari Baoli market, said, 'First, the Attari-Wagah border was shut down… so goods from Afghanistan completely stopped coming in. And on top of that, this issue with Iran has happened — it's like a double blow. We have no idea what's going to happen next. The Afghanistan route has been shut for a while, and there's still no clarity. '
He added that the market is deprived of new foreign stock of dry fruits. 'Abhi to maal nahi aa raha, jo maal India mein tha wahi bik raha hai. Iran se dry fruits container se maal aata hai sea se, seedhe ports aur phir humare godowns mein utaarte hai, uske baad hum apni requirements ke hisaab se uska distribution karte hai. Abhi maal to kahi se bhi nahi aa raha (Right now, no new stock is coming in — only what's already in India is being sold. Dry fruits from Iran come by sea, directly to the ports, and then to our godowns. From there, we distribute it as per our requirements. At the moment, nothing is coming in from anywhere),' he said.
The heightened tensions in West Asia have contributed to a surge in the prices of dry fruit imported from Iran. Jaggi highlighted that almond prices have increased by Rs 400-450 per kilo, whereas pistachio prices have increased by Rs 300 per kilo and now stand at over Rs 1,000 per kilo.
Hari Om, a trader, said, 'Varieties of dates like Kimia, Mariam, Zahedi, Rabbi, and Irani, which are imported from Iran, are witnessing a surge in prices in the market.' Kimia Date boxes, which were earlier priced at Rs. 250 per kilo, are now being sold at Rs 400 per kilo, in the market.
'Even some medicinal herbs like Salam Mishri used in Ayurveda medicines are imported from Iran, and their price has also significantly increased,' said Sunny Kashyap, a trader selling dry fruits and medicinal herbs.
Commenting on the crisis, Chandni Chowk MP and BJP leader Praveen Khandelwal said, 'The ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel has naturally had an impact on traders in the Khari Baoli market. Prices of dates, saffron, and other spices imported from Iran may likely rise due to disrupted supply chains and increased freight costs.'
He added that the government is taking all necessary steps to keep a check on the prices.
Despite the setback, Rajan Bhargava, president, Khari Baoli Traders' Association, remains optimistic. 'There was a slight impact on the goods that used to come directly from Iran, but there was already stock here. Now that the war is set to end, the supply will hopefully resume,' he said.
(Anushka Srivastava and Shreyashi Gupta are interns with The Indian Express)
