Aurangabad, Feb 24:
Demand for dates and dry fruits remained low to moderate this winter in comparison to last year. Every year, the dry fruits business has a turnover of Rs 10 to 15 crore. But this year, Covid-19 prevented citizens from buying non-essentials commodities thus impacting the dry fruits business by 25 per cent. It is noteworthy that despite a 10-15 per cent decline in prices compared to last year, turnover has declined.
Every year, in winter, tonnes of dry fruits mostly including cashew nuts from Mangalore, almonds from Kashmir, raisins from Nasik, dates from Iraq, Iran and Saudi Arabia arrive in the city. The main demand period for dry fruits starts in October and ends in January. From Aurangabad, dry fruits are also supplied to nearby areas. There are 30 to 35 traders of dry fruits in the district. According to trader Prateek Tiwari, the demand for dry fruits remained low this year due to Covid. People only spent on essential items and necessities. Thus the dry fruit traders lost business. The market sustained a loss of around Rs 2.5 to Rs 3 crore.
Price fall sharply
Due to lack of market, the price of dry fruits has come down sharply as compared to last year. Prices of cashews, almonds and figs have also declined. But raisin and pistachio prices remain the same.
Sale plummets by 25 per cent
According to traders, the demand for dry fruits in the winter season declined by about 20 to 25 per cent due to Covid-19. Basically, 50 per cent of dry fruits are sold during the winter season. But increased demand for immunity boosters and lowered spending capacity hampered the sales.
Dry fruits prices:
Name 2021 2020
Figs Rs 550 to 850 Rs 900 to 1200
Cashews Rs 600 to 800 Rs 800 to 1000
Almonds Rs 600 to 800 Rs 800 to 1200
Raisins Rs 230 to 280 Rs 230 to 280