Pune: Traditional sweet dish Sheer Khurma is set to be an expensive affair this Eid as prices of dry fruits have increased by nearly 15% to 20% ahead of the festival, even though advance stocking by traders has prevented a shortage in the market amid the war in West Asia.Traders said most of them had procured stocks nearly two months in advance to cater to the festive demand. Although it has helped maintain availability of key items such as dates, pistachios and almonds, it is not sufficient to keep prices in check amid supply disruptions.A majority of the dry fruits are imported from Iran, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. The ongoing war in West Asia and closure of the Strait of Hormuz has impacted imports, resulting in curbed supply.Eid-ul-Fitr, or Ramzan Eid, is set to be celebrated on March 21. The demand for dry fruits is already high across city markets, increasing prices despite adequate availability.Ramesh Chaudhary, owner of a dry fruit shop in Pimpri Chinchwad, said popular varieties of dates such as Kalmi and Ajwa are in short supply this year. “These largely come from the West Asia. Every Ramzan, we get a wide range of dates, but many varieties are missing due to the disruption in trade this season,” he added.Dinesh Patel, who runs a dry fruit store in Karvenagar, said “Premium varieties like Mamra Badam, which are imported from Iran, are not available in the market this time. Consumers are shifting to alternatives, which have become costlier as a result,” he said.Patel said the overall trend, so far, shows a decrease in spending by the Muslim community. “The average sale has also dropped by nearly 10% to 20%,” he added.Navin Goyal, a trader in Gultekdi Market Yard, said the quality of dry fruits imported from West Asian countries is difficult to match. “Substitutes from other countries or domestic produce do not offer the same quality,” he said.Sachin Nivangune, state president of the All India Confederation of Traders, said advance stocking by traders has ensured there is no major shortage in the market. “However, those who placed orders late are impacted due to reduced supply,” he said.He said the price rise is largely due to a mismatch between demand and supply. “Demand for dry fruits rises during Ramzan, but the limited variety available this year has reduced competition, leading to higher prices,” Nivangune added.
