The dry fruits market in India has started feeling the shock from the developments in Afghanistan and the takeover of Kabul by the Taliban.
Afghanistan is a source to several dry fruits and spices in the Indian market and now the import from Afghanistan has been disrupted completely with the Taliban takeover of Kabul. Dry fruit rates have been fluctuating from the time Taliban started walking towards Kabul, say traders from Mumbai market fearing stock unavailability in the near future.
Pravin Maske, a trader from Crawford Market, says, “Since the past more than 10 days, we are observing this fluctuation. Figs were Rs 800 per kg before, now they are Rs 1,000; Apricot was Rs 600 per kg and now Rs 800, while Afghan Raisins are now Rs 600 per kg while they were Rs 300 per kg earlier. Somehow, we are just not able to get in touch with our dealers and unable to communicate with them and fear unavailability of stock once the remaining stock is finished.” Ram R, other shopkeeper at Crowford Market, says, “We have stocks now, so can’t see the impact immediately, let’s see what happens with time. We hope the situation there gets better and regular import starts.” Retailer Nikit Thakkar says, “With festivities like Rakshabandhan around, demand is high and rates are also high; I am told certain containers are stuck and there is no delivery happening since the past more than 10 days and if this continues, then Diwali will be hampered; as such we all are suffering due to corona, further this has hampered the market.”
The Daily Guardian spoke to Vijay Bhuta, director of the Mumbai Spice Market and president of the Dry Fruit Traders Association, and he said, “Afghan exports to India include dried raisins, walnuts, almonds, figs, pine nuts, pistachios, dried apricot and spices such as shah jeera, raw hing and small pistachio nuts are also sourced from the land-locked country. It’s the closure of banks in Afghanistan that has added to their woes because of which all the trade with Afghanistan has come to a stop as banking channels between the two nations have collapsed.”
He also says shipments are ready, but at present nothing can happen, “as there is no government or officer who can pass the stock with signatures, stamp duties and all such things are stuck.” Saying that it’s a wait and watch situation currently, Buta said, “Goods from Afghanistan normally reach India via two routes—one is sea route, as containers from the country first go to Iran’s Chabahar port and take the sea route to Mumbai, the other one is via land route through Pakistan and finally reaches Amritsar. Now, we have to watch and see how the Taliban react— whether they are able to develop complete force or there is strong resistance from the opposite side. it’s a wait and watch situation for us.”