Dry fruit consumption increased by 25% in 2023, the most in five years, as consumers became more health conscious following the pandemic and turned to these rich sources of minerals and vitamins known to help improve immunity, according to traders in Mumbai and Delhi's Khari Baoli market.
Consumers who used to buy dry fruits only occasionally are now spending more and becoming regular buyers, increasing overall demand, according to the researchers. "Dry fruit consumption has increased this year. According to Vijay Bhuta, president of the Mumbai Dry Fruits and Dates Merchants Association, "the supply side is smooth, and prices have remained stable, which is attracting consumers to have more dry fruits."
In fact, demand has seen a spike in the last few days, after the government issued an advisory on a new Covid subvariant and reports of a surge in infections in several states, traders said. Nearly 80% of local demand for dry fruits is met through imports. Almonds and walnuts are the top-selling dry fruits in the country.
India imported walnuts worth $64.91 million in the first seven months of this fiscal year, already exceeding the previous fiscal year's total imports of $63.29 million, which ended on March 31, 2023. Prior to the pandemic, India's total walnut imports of the heart- and gut-healthy dry fruit were $69.38 million in FY20.
According to Bhuta, walnut imports will exceed $85 million this fiscal year, and "demand is robust." According to him, the United States has become India's leading supplier of almonds and walnuts.
