The wholesale prices of imported and indigenous dry fruits including almond, pistachio and walnut have increased by nearly 15%-20% during the current festival season as landed cost of imported dry fruits mainly from the US and Iran have gone up by over 10% over the last few days, thanks to a weakening in the value of the rupee against the dollar.
Wholesale prices of imported almonds (good quality) in Mumbai increased to Rs 550-Rs 600 per kg from Rs 450-Rs 500 in 2007, while imported pistachio prices have also increased to Rs 700 per kg from Rs 400-Rs 500 per kg in 2007. The import of these commodities may come down by 7%-8% in the coming days, a local trader said.
?Dry-fruit prices including those of almonds and pistachio have gone up, because their landed costs have jumped up by 10%-15% thanks to weakening rupee value. I think retail sales of dry fruits may slowdown in a time of economic uncertainty, but there are some good enquiries from major corporates, banks and transport firms for Diwali gifts,? Manoj Thakkar, director, MH Foods Pvt Limited, told FE.
The firm, a leading importer of dry fruits, has introduced a new variety of sweets made with natural honey. The firm has come out with two varieties-Honey Dew and Madhu Vati ? keeping in mind the changing mood and taste of the youth, he said. On the overall supply of dry fruits, Thakkar said there was no shortage of imported dry fruits, but there was some shortage of walnut due to unrest in the Kashmir valley.