This Diwali, festive indulgence comes with a pinch of inflation. Prices of both dry fruits and dry-fruit-based sweets in Gujarat have risen by around 15% due to soaring festive demand and higher import costs.
With consumers shifting preference from traditional mawa (khoya) sweets to those rich in dry fruits, the cost of popular items like kaju katli and badam halwa has surged. October typically marks the peak of dry-fruit demand, and Gujarat has recorded a seasonal consumption of 150–400 tonnes this year.
At Ahmedabad’s Madhupura market — the state’s dry-fruit hub — imports this year included 40,000 tonnes of almonds, 55,000 tonnes of cashews, 8,000 tonnes of pistachios, and 4,000 tonnes of walnuts. Traders say cashew demand rose by 15–20%, while almond demand increased by about 10%, highlighting the growing dominance of dry-fruit-based sweets.
Nationally, India’s dry-fruit market is projected to reach ₹1.7 lakh crore by 2028, with about 60% of Gujarat’s annual sales occurring during Diwali alone.
According to Madhupura traders, usage of dry fruits has increased across hotels, catering services, corporate gifting, snack manufacturing, and even ice cream products. The surge has pushed up prices by 15–20%. Almonds that sold for ₹600 per kg now cost ₹700, while walnuts have climbed to ₹700 per kg. The spike is partly attributed to delayed imports from Australia, the UAE, and the USA.
Corporate and family gifting trends are also fuelling demand. “Dry fruits are preferred gifts now — they last longer and are healthier, even for people with diabetes,” said a trader from an Ahmedabad-based dry-fruit chain. “Gift hampers priced between 500 and 7,000 are driving strong growth in the packaging business too.”
Dry-fruit price comparison:
| Dry Fruit | 2024 Price (kg) | 2025 Price (kg) | Avg % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Almond | 600–650 | 700–750 | ~16% |
| Cashew | 650–1000 | 800–1200 | ~21.5% |
| Pistachio | 900–1000 | 1050–1200 | ~18.4% |
| Walnut | 600–650 | 700–750 | ~16% |
| Raisins | 150–200 | 180–220 | ~15% |