Dates prices rise due to stoppage of imports through Pakistan

08-May-2025 04:41 PM

Indore. Tensions between India and Pakistan have reached a peak. India has not only completely sealed its borders with Pakistan but has also strictly banned all imports and exports with Pakistan, both directly and indirectly.

As a result, the import of dates from Pakistan and those transiting from Afghanistan has come to a halt. Afghanistan will now have to export dates via sea routes, which is more expensive and time-consuming.

Due to this disruption, prices of dates in the domestic market have started rising sharply. In Indore, prices have nearly doubled in the past few days, leading to a slowdown in business.

Importers and stockists are concerned due to a noticeable drop in customer interest. Both small vendors and large buyers have either halted their purchases or significantly reduced them.

Given the strained relations between India and Pakistan and the logistical delays expected from rerouted imports, a drop in prices appears unlikely until new supplies arrive.

However, if demand remains weak at higher prices, stockists may be forced to lower prices despite holding substantial inventories. Some traders are attempting to create an artificial price surge to capitalize on the market situation.

It is also notable that the closure of the Pakistan route is expected to affect the import of other Afghan dry fruits like Jardalu, Munakka, and Anjeer. However, prices for these have not surged yet, and their trade continues normally.

Earlier reports indicated that about 40 trucks carrying dry fruits were en route from Afghanistan to India but were stuck at the Pakistan border after the closure of the Wagah-Attari crossing. Requests were made to Pakistani officials to allow the goods to pass through.

India imports a large volume of dry fruits from Afghanistan. With the increased cost of sea-route imports, prices of several dry fruits are likely to remain elevated during the upcoming festive season.