Prices of Imported Fruits Rise up to 15%

Due to the depreciation of the rupee, prices of Californian almonds, Washington apples, imported cherries, kiwis, and berries have increased by up to 15%, hurting domestic demand that had increased following the second wave of Covid-19.
According to traders from Delhi's Khari Baoli market, one of the biggest fruit markets in the nation, prices of Californian almonds have increased by up to 10%, and with the rupee expected to weaken even more against the US dollar, dry fruit importers are now looking to Syria and Afghanistan to import almonds that are less expensive.

“The traders are worried what will be the price in September when the new Californian almonds will come, if this rupee slide against dollar continues,” said Vijay Kumar Bhuta, president of Bombay Dry Fruits and Date Merchants Association.

India annually imports 36,000 tonnes of dry fruits and spices.

Indians have been consuming more imported fruits, such as kiwifruit from Chile and New Zealand and apples and blueberries from the US, which are thought to help build immunity. Since April of last year, during the second wave of the pandemic, imports of these fruits have increased by 20 to 30 percent.

However, the price of imported fruits has been affected by rupee depreciation and supply-chain issues, according to Sumit Saran, a Washington Apple Commission representative for India.“Imports of apples from Washington have come down significantly,” he said. “Moreover, the consumer demand for all kinds of imported fruits has been hurt due to higher prices.”