Price of black cardamom has increased to Rs 1,600 per kg from Rs 1,200 per kg recorded a month ago. Similarly, cardamom is selling for Rs 2,500 per kg from Rs 1,600 over the period. [break]
Other popular dry fruits like cashew nut, almond, clove, raisin, coconut and betel nuts have also seen their prices rise in the market. Price of clove has increased to Rs 510 per kg from Rs 500 recorded a month ago.
Similarly, betel nuts are selling for Rs 100 per kg, up from Rs 95 per kg. Price of coconut has climbed to Rs 125 per kg from Rs 120 over the period.
Similarly, cashew nuts, almond and Indian raisins are selling for Rs 640, Rs 900 and Rs 250 per kg respectively, up Rs 15 per kg each than the prices recorded a month ago. According to traders, low domestic production, rising import prices and supply constraints are the factor behind high rise in prices of dry fruits.
"Prices have gone up as production of dry fruits has fallen significantly. Our importers say production has also decline in major producing countries," Om Shrestha, proprietor of Om Retailers at Makhan Galli, told myrepublica.com.
With rise in prices of popular dry fruits, traders say they are seeing significant decline in the number of customers approaching them. "It seems that high price tag is putting customers off the market," Shrestha said, adding, "Our business has fallen by at least one-fourth as compared to past months."
Traders also termed high competition in market and off-season as other factors leading to slowdown in business. Rainy season is considered off-season for dry fruits market.
Rajesh Garg, another retailer at Makhan Galli, said high import prices and short supply are the other factors behind rise in prices.
"Prices of raisins have increased because there is shortage of Chinese raisins, which are considered cheaper," Garg told myrepublica.com, adding, "Chinese raisins are rich in quality and cheaper than Indian raisins. But there is shortage of Chinese raisins in the market."
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