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Rising Dry-Fruit Prices Push Indian Consumers Toward Cashews
Many dry fruits are becoming more expensive in India before the festive season.
Shipping problems and smaller harvests have reduced supplies and raised costs.
Pistachios and almonds have seen particularly large price increases.
Traders think people may buy fewer dry fruits overall because of the higher prices.
Cashews have mostly stayed at last year’s prices.
So shops and sweet makers are turning to cashews more often.
Importers are also looking for nuts from different countries.
Pumpkin and sunflower seeds and makhana are being promoted as other options.
Retail prices for several dry fruits have risen 15–30% year-on-year amid supply and shipping disruptions.
Pistachios are up 30–40%, linked to Iranian supply disruptions, higher freight rates and a nearly 50% drop in US crop yields.
Almond prices have increased 10–20%; pumpkin seeds, pecans and dates have risen 5–10%.
Traders anticipate festive-season sales could fall 10–15% as international prices rise and crop yields decline.
Cashew prices are largely unchanged, prompting retailers and sweet makers to use more cashews and products such as kaju katli.
- Who
- India’s dry-fruit consumers, traders, retailers and sweet manufacturers.
- What
- Prices for many dry fruits have risen, while cashew prices are largely unchanged and demand for cashew products may increase.
- Where
- India, amid international supply and shipping disruptions.
- When
- Ahead of the festive season; the report was published October 5, 2026.
- Why
- Geopolitical tensions and transit disruptions, higher freight and logistics costs, currency depreciation and lower crop yields are affecting prices and supplies.
Cost pressures and lower sales
Cashews and alternative sourcing
Festive-season sales
Cost pressures and lower sales
Traders expect higher international prices and lower crop yields to reduce sales by 10–15%.
Cashews and alternative sourcing
Retailers and sweet manufacturers are shifting toward cashews, which could boost cashew consumption and sales of kaju katli.
Finding alternatives
Cost pressures and lower sales
Supply disruptions and higher logistics costs have raised prices across several dry fruits.
Cashews and alternative sourcing
Importers are diversifying origins, while pumpkin and sunflower seeds and makhana are being promoted as relatively stable-priced alternatives.
Key facts
- Price rise across several dry fruits
- Retail prices are up 15–30% year-on-year.
- Pistachios
- Prices have risen 30–40%.
- Almonds
- Prices have risen 10–20%.
- Other products
- Pumpkin seeds, pecans and dates have risen 5–10%.
- Expected sales impact
- Traders anticipate a 10–15% decline in sales.
- Whole cashew retail price
- About ₹900–₹1,000 per kg.
- Broken cashew retail price
- About ₹800–₹900 per kg.
- Date consumption
- India accounts for an estimated 20–25% of global date consumption.
Sources
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