The busy streets of Khari Baoli in Delhi, which once echoed with people buying almonds and apricots, are now strangely quiet. This famous market, known as Asia’s largest spice market, has almost come to a stop because of the growing tension between India and Pakistan.
With the borders closed and goods stuck on the way, the main center of India’s dry fruit trade is facing a big shortage. This has made prices go up sharply and pushed customers away.
“We’ve never seen the market this empty,” said Ayan, a dry fruit trader who has worked in Khari Baoli for more than ten years. Since the tension between India and Pakistan started, the border has been shut, and supply has stopped completely. The dry fruits we are getting now are of poor quality, he said.
Ayan described the situation as very bad: prices have gone up by Rs 300 to Rs 400 per kg for all types of dry fruits. Some high-quality dry fruits are now extremely expensive. For example, Makhana is selling for Rs 1,800 per kg — nearly double its normal price. “Earlier, people used to buy half a kilo or even more. Now, hardly anyone is coming. There are almost no customers,” Ayan added.
Another trader, Pawanjit Singh, said he is worried about not knowing when trade routes will reopen. “We are regularly talking to suppliers across the country. Everyone is just waiting. If the border doesn’t open in the next few weeks, the situation could get worse. Prices may not come down for at least two more months,” he said. Because of the supply problems, dry fruit prices have increased by 20% to 40% in just three weeks.
Manoj Kumar, a long-time trader, talked about the bigger problem with transport. “Many of our goods are stuck at the borders. Some were even sent back. With no deliveries and no clear updates, we are losing both customers and money. There’s a shortage of everything,” he said.
Phoolwant, a wholesaler, talked about the financial loss. He said they had already paid the suppliers in advance, but now the goods are stuck. “We can’t get our money back. There’s no business happening, only losses every day,” he said.
Another problem is the sudden lack of dates in the market. “You can’t find dates anywhere,” said Pulvinder, a dry fruit seller. “If someone does have them, they’re selling them at very high prices,” he added. The situation in Khari Baoli shows how problems between countries can quickly affect everyday markets and customers, causing big losses and high prices.
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