Dry-fruit prices jump 20%–80% in Vashi ahead of festive season

Wholesale and retail dry-fruit prices in Mumbai’s Vashi market have risen about 20% to 80%, while almond, cashew and pistachio prices in Pune are up Rs 100 to Rs 300 per kg in 15 days. The increase could raise festive-season costs for sweet makers, gifting retailers and households.

— Source publishedWed, 26 Aug, 2026, 12:05 IST·First seen Wed, 26 Aug, 2026, 12:42 IST·Source Business Today · Latest

What happened

Indian dry-fruit market · Dry-fruit prices have risen sharply across Maharashtra and Gujarat ahead of festivals, adding to higher onion and sugar costs. Rising

Key facts

  • Dry-fruit wholesale and retail prices in Mumbai's Vashi market rose about 20% to 80%
  • Almond, pistachio and cashew prices in Pune rose Rs 100 to Rs 300 per kg in 15 days
  • Average onion retail prices are Rs 55 to Rs 70 per kg
  • Government buffer-stock onions are being sold at Rs 35 per kg
  • Average retail sugar price has crossed Rs 60 per kg

Why this matters

The disruption raises the value of partnerships or acquisitions that secure sourcing, storage and private-label dry-fruit capacity ahead of peak gifting seasons.

What to watch

  • Whether wholesale Vashi prices remain elevated or rise further over the next 2-4 weeks.
  • Import arrivals, currency movement and supplier availability for almonds, cashews and pistachios.
  • Festive pre-order conversion rates for mithai, hampers and corporate gifting.
  • Evidence of shrinkflation, reduced dry-fruit content in sweets, or broad retail MRP revisions.
  • Demand migration toward value packs, raisins, dates and non-dry-fruit gifting categories.
  • Reprice dry-fruit, mithai and festive-hamper assortments by pack size, with sharp price ladders for entry, mid and premium tiers.
  • Secure short-term inventory and supplier commitments before peak festive buying accelerates, prioritizing high-velocity almonds, cashews and pistachios.
  • Expand substitute-led merchandising: raisins, dates, peanuts, seeds, trail mixes and smaller trial packs.
  • Review corporate-gifting quotations and include commodity-price validity clauses for unconfirmed orders.
  • Reduce blanket promotions on imported or premium nut SKUs; redirect promotional funding to bundles and higher-margin complementary products.