Attari-Wagah Closure Expected to Disrupt Dry Fruit Imports from Afghanistan; Domestic Prices May Rise

New Delhi, April 28: India’s imports of dry fruits such as almonds, raisins, dried apricots, and pistachios from Afghanistan are likely to face disruptions due to the closure of land borders amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack, exporters have warned.

In response to the attack in Pahalgam, which claimed 26 lives, mostly tourists, India promptly shut down the Attari land-transit post, a crucial route for certain goods. Pakistan, in turn, announced the immediate suspension of all trade with India, including third-country transit through its territory, which could further hinder India’s trade with Afghanistan.

Exporters highlighted that Afghanistan is a major supplier of dry fruits to India, and some of these imports also come via Pakistan.

Currently, India trades with Afghanistan through the Attari-Wagah border, and Pakistan’s trade suspension is set to impact both imports and exports to Kabul.

During April–January of 2024–25, India’s exports to Afghanistan totaled USD 264.15 million, while imports reached USD 591.49 million, with dry fruit imports accounting for USD 358 million. In comparison, imports of fruits and nuts from Pakistan during the same period were minimal at USD 0.08 million.

Key imports from Afghanistan via land include dried figs, asafoetida, saffron, dried apricots, pistachios, and raisins.

Attari, located near Amritsar in Punjab, serves as the main land entry point.

A Delhi-based importer noted that the land route shutdown will certainly affect dry fruit imports from both Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Rajiv Batra, president of the Khari Baoli Traders’ Association, stated, “While there is no immediate impact as goods are currently in transit, after about ten days imports will come to a complete halt. Consequently, prices could surge by up to 20 percent in Delhi.”

He added that although supplies of nuts would continue, they would increasingly come via alternative routes through countries like the UAE, Iran, and Iraq, which would serve as transit hubs for Afghan dry fruits.