Badam-Kishmish to be expensive after closing Attari-Wagah? – Times of India

Dry fruit such as almonds, raisins, pistachio nuts and others, are a complicated part of Indian culture, whether it is candy, snacks or even oils. Most of these delicacies travel all the way from Kabul to New Delhi.
However, these imports run a high risk after closing the border of Attari-Wagah because of the growing tensions between India and Pakistan. Exporters have warned that this can lead to an increase in domestic prices for these raw materials
Afghanistan has long been an important exporter from dry fruit to India, next to Pakistan. According to data, India’s import of dry fruit from Afghanistan in the period 2024-25 (April-Januari) amounted to $ 358 million, while exports to Afghanistan were appreciated in the same period at $ 264.15 million.
Prices of dry fru’s to spijken?
“Although there is no impact immediately because goods are on the road, but after ten days the input is completely stopped.” said Rajiv Batra, president of the Khari Baoli Traders’ Association in Delhi. “After that, prices would go up to 20 percent in national capital.”
Alternative routes
Batra also noted that although the import from Afghanistan will be seriously reduced, alternative routes via countries such as the VAE, Iran and Iraq are expected to partially replace the Afghan offer.
The closure of the country border, combined with the trade suspension of Pakistan, creates great uncertainty for both the domestic market and the dry fruit supply chain. With the import that is likely to decrease, Indian consumers can expect price increases on these essential raw materials in the near future.
The attack, which took place in Pahalgam and resulted in the death of 26 people, mainly tourists, led India to take immediate action, including stopping trade through the Land Border of Attari. This border, located near Amritsar in Punjab, is an important route for the movement of certain goods, including dry fruit from Afghanistan.
In retaliation, Pakistan has suspended all trade with India, including trade from and from third countries via Pakistan. As a result, this disruption is expected to influence both exports and imports to and from Afghanistan, an important supplier of dry fruit to India.