High prices of dry fruits keep people at bay

Rawalpindi

With weather conditions fast changing the prices of dry fruits are noticing more upward trend, keeping them away from the reach of the people who cannot afford this 'luxury' items to brave the cold weather.

Amin Akhtar, a dry fruit seller in Banni area, said the wholesale dealers use to store dry fruits, which result in shortage of the commodities in the market and thereby leading to increasing prices.

"The controlled supply of dry fruits is the main reason behind increase in their prices so there should be a mechanism to keep vigil over them," he said.

Kaju is being sold in the city market at Rs2,100 per kg; Pista (pistachio without shell) at Rs2,900 per kg, Chilgoza (pine nuts without shell) at Rs3,800 per kg, Almonds at Rs1,800 per kg, Indian cashew at Rs1,500 per kg, and Walnuts at Rs300 per kg.

Asad Toor, a customer, said Pakistan is among the countries where dry fruits are produced in abundance, then why there is no mechanism to check their prices.  He said prices of dry fruits this year are high and becoming out of their reach so the government should take action against those dry fruit dealers who are minting extra profit from the customers.

Saeed Ahmad, another dry fruit vendor, said that with the fall of temperature in the twin cities demand for dry fruits has sharply increased due to which their prices are increasing day by day.