Dry fruits prices jump 40% in Hyderabad amid West Asia tensions
Hyderabad, March 14
Dry fruit prices in Hyderabad have surged by nearly 30-40 per cent as escalating geopolitical tensions in West Asia disrupt supply chains, affecting imports from key producing regions such as Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, and parts of the Middle East.
Traders in the city say the ongoing conflicts involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, along with border tensions between Afghanistan and Pakistan, have significantly slowed the movement of goods, leading to delays and higher transportation costs.
The disruption has particularly impacted businesses dependent on imports from these regions, with several consignments either delayed or stranded in transit. Traders say the instability has forced suppliers to shift to costlier logistics options such as air cargo, further increasing the prices of dry fruits in local markets. The sudden rise in prices is also affecting consumer demand, as retailers struggle to maintain a stable supply and convince customers amid the steep hike.
Speaking to ANI, Aman Khan, owner of Afghan Baghban in Hyderabad, said the ongoing conflict has severely impacted the dry fruit trade in the city. "I have kept many varieties in this store. There are some products from Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, and Egypt, and I will try to add more to them. Unfortunately, war has been going on for 15-20 days, due to which some of my products are stuck and have not reached yet. Our Turkish products are stuck, but we still have some stock," he said.
Khan explained that Afghanistan remains a major supplier for his store, but ongoing tensions in the region have disrupted trade routes. "Most of our exports are from Afghanistan. There has been a war going on in Iran and between Pakistan and Afghanistan for the last 8-10 days. So our work has been disturbed a lot because of this," he added.
He further said the supply of products from Turkey, Dubai, and Saudi Arabia has nearly halted, pushing prices sharply upward. "The effect is being felt because the goods coming from Turkey, Dubai and Saudi Arabia have stopped, due to which the pricing has increased by 30-40 per cent. The products from Afghanistan are coming by air now," Khan said.
However, he noted that air cargo significantly increases operational costs. "The problem with air cargo is that it is very expensive. This is very difficult for us to convince the customer and to remain stable in the market," he added.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Feel for the traders like Aman Khan. Their entire business is stuck because of geopolitics. Switching to air cargo is a huge cost they have to bear. Hope the situation stabilizes soon, not just for prices but for their livelihoods too.
Maybe it's time to look at promoting more domestic production of dry fruits? We have regions in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal that grow walnuts, almonds. Reducing import dependency could be a long-term solution for price stability.
Living in Hyderabad, I noticed this last week at Begum Bazaar. The shopkeeper was explaining the same thing. It's a global supply chain issue, but the local impact is very real. Had to cut down on my monthly purchase of almonds and pistachios.
This is a classic example of how interconnected the world is. Tensions in West Asia disrupt trade routes through Pakistan and Afghanistan, and boom, the price of my morning badam in Hyderabad shoots up. Hope our diplomats are working on securing these routes for essential goods.
While I understand the supply issues, a 40% jump feels extreme. Is there any oversight from the government or associations to prevent undue profiteering during such crises? Consumers need some protection too.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.