Dry fruit business grows ahead of Tihar

Kathmandu / Oct. 23: Tihar, the festival of lights and colours, is only few days away. The festival celebrated by almost all Nepalese residing in the country and abroad is the major occasion for dry fruits business in the country.

The demand for dry fruits goes high during Tihar. The major markets Ason, Indrachowk, Makhan and New Road is filled with the crowds of consumers to buy dry fruits. These core areas have been the major market hub for the dry fruits as many consumers prefer to buy goods here. They find the areas convenient as other necessary stuffs for Tihar is easily available and think that dry fruits available in these markets at a cheaper rate than in other markets.

The price of dry fruits has increased this year. According to Nepal Retail Trade Association, the price of Cashew has increased by Rs. 200 which was Rs. 1500-1600 last year. Similarly, raisins cost Rs. 500-600 which was Rs. 250-400 last year. Compared to 2021, the price of Pistachio, Dates, Almonds, Walnuts, Dried coconut has risen by Rs. 700, Rs. 100, Rs. 200, Rs. 100, and Rs. 200 with the marked price of Rs. 2,400, Rs. 400-500, Rs. 1350, Rs. 600 and Rs. 800 respectively.

Despite the increase in the price, the import of dry fruits has increased this year compared to past few years. According to the Department of Customs, Nepal imported dry fruits worth Rs. 7.53 billion in Fiscal Year (FY) 2021/22. Similarly, dry fruits worth Rs. 4.81 billion were imported in FY 2020/21 and Rs. 5.84 billion in 2019/2020. Nepal imported dry fruits of Rs. 1.1 billion in Shrawan (mid-July to mid-August) and Bhadra (mid-August to mid-September). The dry fruit business was affected by Covid-19 in the past few years.

The consumption of dry fruits is high during Tihar compared to other times. Many people buy the goods to offer to their brothers during Bhai Tika. Similarly, the hotels, restaurants, corporate offices also buy dry fruits and send them to their clients wishing for Happy Tihar.

Hari Bahadur Karki, a customer buying dry fruits in Ason, said that he bought dry fruits of Rs. 4,050 for Tihar. “I receive Bhai Tika from my nine sisters. I gift them dry fruits and other goods,” he added.

Similarly, Mina Ghale bought dry fruits of Rs. 500. She said that she puts Bhai Tika to her two brothers and bought two packets of Bhai Masala.

For Tihar, some people prefer to buy open dry fruits and prepare Bhai Masala at home while some people like to buy packaged Bhai Masala.

Sanjay Dhaubhadel is the fifth generation running a dry fruit shop in Ason. He informed that most of the costumers prefer open dry fruits to packaged Bhai Masala. His daily earning is Rs. 25,000–Rs. 30,000 during Tihar where he used to earn Rs. 8,000 to Rs. 9,000 per day on other days.

He said that this year, the business is running slow. Many customers are facing problems to park their vehicles. And he could not display the goods in front of the shop this year like in the past since the Kathmandu Metropolitan City did not allow it.

Likewise, Subarna Shrestha, dry fruit shopkeeper, informed that the business always rises during Tihar. Stating that the daily income used to be around Rs. 2,000 before Tihar, she said that she earns around Rs. 10,000 during Tihar.