Dry fruits prices spike with rise in demand

RAWALPINDI:

With the onset of winter, prices of dry fruits, including almonds, cashews, walnuts, pistachios and pine nuts, have surged, while peanuts, soup and yakhni have also become significantly more expensive, putting these seasonal treats beyond the reach of many low-income households.

Fresh peanuts alone have caused concern among consumers this year.

Last year, they cost Rs800 per kilogram, but their price has now crossed Rs1,000 per kilogram. Roasted black chickpeas have reached Rs800 per kilogram.

Although hundreds of soup and yakhni stalls have opened across the city, their rising prices have made even these popular winter refreshments difficult for ordinary residents to afford in neighbourhoods and local markets.

A cup of Kashmiri pink tea now costs up to Rs200.

Egg soup is being sold for Rs200 per cup, while a glass of plain yakhni costs Rs150 and a special serving Rs200.

In the open market, peeled almonds are selling for Rs2,800 to Rs3,400 per kilogram, cashews for Rs3,200 to Rs4,000, pistachios for Rs3,800 to Rs4,500, walnuts for Rs1,000 to Rs1,800, and pine nuts for Rs7,500 to Rs8,000.

Raisins cost Rs1,200 to Rs1,800 per kilogram, while jaggery is selling for Rs800 to Rs1,400 per kilogram. Dried apricots have also doubled in price compared with last year.

In Narnkari Bazaar, raw peanuts are being roasted on the spot and sold to customers. Wholesale trading in peanuts and roasted chickpeas has also picked up in Narnkari Bazaar and Ganjmandi's Nimco Market.

Small soup stalls and carts have appeared in markets and neighbourhoods across the city. They generally open after sunset and continue operating until 1am.

Families have also started visiting soup and yakhni shops in central markets in large numbers.