India’s dry-fruit consumers should prepare to pay more this festive season, with the market facing rising prices and supply constraints amid overseas trade disruptions due to West Asia crisis and broader geopolitical tensions. Many traders expect sales to decline this season as disruptions across global supply chains have pushed up the prices of key dry fruits. Retail prices of several varieties have risen 15–30 per cent year-on-year, driven by transit disruptions in West Asia, higher container freight rates and crop damage in major producing countries. Raju Bhatia, Ambassador, India, International Nuts and Dry Fruits Council, told businessline that the price surge could affect sales, with traders anticipating a 10–15 per cent decline due to higher international prices and lower crop yields. Supply disruptions Pistachios have been among the worst affected, with prices rising 30–40 per cent, mainly due to supply disruptions from Iran and a sharp increase in container freight rates. The impact has been compounded by a nearly 50 per cent decline in US crop yields. Almond prices have increased 10–20 per cent amid lower production in the US. Other products, including pumpkin seeds, pecans and dates, have also recorded price increases of 5–10 per cent, owing to currency depreciation and higher logistics costs. India accounts for an estimated 20–25 per cent of global date consumption. Exception Cashews, however, remain an exception, with prices largely unchanged from last year. J Rajmohan Pillai, owner of the Nut King brand, said retail prices of whole cashews are currently hovering around ₹900–₹1,000 per kg, while broken cashews are priced at around ₹800–₹900 per kg. With almonds and pistachios becoming more expensive, retailers and sweet manufacturers are increasingly turning to cashews. This is expected to boost domestic consumption of cashews and products such as kaju katli during the festive season. According to Pillai, importers are also diversifying their sourcing origins, looking towards Chilean walnuts and Australian almonds. At the same time, seeds such as pumpkin and sunflower seeds, along with makhana, are being promoted as relatively stable-priced alternatives.