Dry fruits are the jewel of winter
December 28, 2006
Karachi: What do you find yourself munching on most often during the winter? Who would not like to have hot peanuts or cashew nuts? These yummy dry fruits are here with the usual mouth-watering taste and a variety to choose from.
The trend of eating dry fruits remains through out the year, but dramatically increases during the winter season. Not only that, but the business is far better and greater than that in summer. They have always been enjoyed by people of all ages. There is a variety to choose from with varying prices, which can be sky high during winters.
Peanuts, cashew nuts, almonds, pistachios, groundnuts and so many other forms of dry fruits are available in Pakistan. You name it and we have it. Some other fruits that are usually included in the dry fruit category are dried apricots, figs, sultanas (big raisins commonly reffered to as munaqaas) and small raisins. Though all forms of dry fruits are available throughout the year in the country, chilgoza are only available for four months from September till December and tend to remain the most sought after items in dry fruits.
The demand and supply of these dry fruits increases in the winter. In Pakistan, dry fruits usually come from areas like Quetta, Chaman, Loralai, Banu, Gilgit, Skardu, and Cholistan, wherein Quetta is the biggest supplier in Pakistan. However, according to market experts and wholesalers, Afghanistan and Iran remain the biggest suppliers of dry fruits especially pistachios and almonds.
Mohammad Asif, a wholesaler from Karachi Traders Joria Bazar says that the trade increases in winters and the sale is much higher than expected. Talking about the quality of dry fruits, he said that those dry fruits, which come from Afghanistan, are of the best quality. “From Afghanistan, these dry fruits are brought to Quetta, then sorted and distributed to different cities. As wholesalers, we sell it at a lesser price. When it is brought to the market, it is sold at retail price, which is much higher” he explained.
Many street carts full of dry fruits can be seen parked in number of localities, which is not a common sight throughout the rest of the year. Asif says that these vendors have varying prices of dry fruits due to the quality and sometimes because of the area they are doing their business in, but insisted that most of the time they have high prices.
However, Naveed Gul, a street cart vendor in Empress Market said that the prices are high in summers and comparatively cheaper in winters. “Due to short supply of dry fruits in summers prices are high. However, great deal of supply in winters, decreases the rates,” he said.
Due to the tough competition from the street cart vendors, the retail market is forced to lower their prices, though the retailers strongly believe that it does not affect their business at large. “Though people are price conscious, but they still go for quality and usually these street vendors have medium quality dry fruits,” says one shopkeeper in Karimabad dry fruit market.
Despite this debate over quality and price, people never stop buying dry fruits irrespective of the reason and the season. However, people buy dry fruits from whole sellers and street vendors and not many buy from the local market or the retailers. Farhat, a housewife says that everybody at her home loves to eat dry fruits; therefore, she has to buy it on a wholesale rate. “It is convenient. I can buy and stock it for future needs. Retailers usually have fixed prices with less margin of bargain,” she added.
In spite of low prices and at times good quality, street cart vendors and people are usually seen bargaining over price. Nighat says she is fond of bargaining and usually goes to the street cart vendors in her locality to buy dry fruits. “It is an art to bargain and they (street vendors) have bargaining habits too. Usually you get it on much lower prices then they actually quote” she said.
These dry fruits are also exported to various countries, but the largest export market is India. This is because many religious festivities are celebrated throughout the year in India wherein the people distribute dry fruits. These are also used in sweets, which are also distributed at these festivities. Therefore, the prices of dry fruits are much higher in India as compared to Pakistan.
Whatever may be the reason, the sale and consumption of dry fruits is high. But with all its goodness and richness, comes an important health aspect. Dr. Shabnam is a dietician and says that dry fruits are highly beneficial to health. She says that they have high level of heating capabilities, which gives a warming feel. “One cashew nut, two almonds, two munaqaas and one groundnut are said to be the natural daily intake of vitamin,” she said.
Dry fruits are high in calories and their intake in winter results in storing energy and body warmth. Though they are highly nutritious, an excessive intake of dry fruit can result in heath related problems. With excessive intake, there are chances of putting on weight that can be dangerous for patients with diabetes, blood Pressure (BP) and heart problems.
Whatever may be the case, dry fruits remain a favourite munching snack during winter. Whether one buys it from a wholesaler, retailer or a street cart vendor, everybody seems to enjoy it in winter time. Many would agree that the real pleasure of having peanuts is eating them during a chilly winter night. For those who are allergic to nuts or are not fond of having them, they don’t have the faintest idea what they are missing out on.
The trend of eating dry fruits remains through out the year, but dramatically increases during the winter season. Not only that, but the business is far better and greater than that in summer. They have always been enjoyed by people of all ages. There is a variety to choose from with varying prices, which can be sky high during winters.
Peanuts, cashew nuts, almonds, pistachios, groundnuts and so many other forms of dry fruits are available in Pakistan. You name it and we have it. Some other fruits that are usually included in the dry fruit category are dried apricots, figs, sultanas (big raisins commonly reffered to as munaqaas) and small raisins. Though all forms of dry fruits are available throughout the year in the country, chilgoza are only available for four months from September till December and tend to remain the most sought after items in dry fruits.
The demand and supply of these dry fruits increases in the winter. In Pakistan, dry fruits usually come from areas like Quetta, Chaman, Loralai, Banu, Gilgit, Skardu, and Cholistan, wherein Quetta is the biggest supplier in Pakistan. However, according to market experts and wholesalers, Afghanistan and Iran remain the biggest suppliers of dry fruits especially pistachios and almonds.
Mohammad Asif, a wholesaler from Karachi Traders Joria Bazar says that the trade increases in winters and the sale is much higher than expected. Talking about the quality of dry fruits, he said that those dry fruits, which come from Afghanistan, are of the best quality. “From Afghanistan, these dry fruits are brought to Quetta, then sorted and distributed to different cities. As wholesalers, we sell it at a lesser price. When it is brought to the market, it is sold at retail price, which is much higher” he explained.
Many street carts full of dry fruits can be seen parked in number of localities, which is not a common sight throughout the rest of the year. Asif says that these vendors have varying prices of dry fruits due to the quality and sometimes because of the area they are doing their business in, but insisted that most of the time they have high prices.
However, Naveed Gul, a street cart vendor in Empress Market said that the prices are high in summers and comparatively cheaper in winters. “Due to short supply of dry fruits in summers prices are high. However, great deal of supply in winters, decreases the rates,” he said.
Due to the tough competition from the street cart vendors, the retail market is forced to lower their prices, though the retailers strongly believe that it does not affect their business at large. “Though people are price conscious, but they still go for quality and usually these street vendors have medium quality dry fruits,” says one shopkeeper in Karimabad dry fruit market.
Despite this debate over quality and price, people never stop buying dry fruits irrespective of the reason and the season. However, people buy dry fruits from whole sellers and street vendors and not many buy from the local market or the retailers. Farhat, a housewife says that everybody at her home loves to eat dry fruits; therefore, she has to buy it on a wholesale rate. “It is convenient. I can buy and stock it for future needs. Retailers usually have fixed prices with less margin of bargain,” she added.
In spite of low prices and at times good quality, street cart vendors and people are usually seen bargaining over price. Nighat says she is fond of bargaining and usually goes to the street cart vendors in her locality to buy dry fruits. “It is an art to bargain and they (street vendors) have bargaining habits too. Usually you get it on much lower prices then they actually quote” she said.
These dry fruits are also exported to various countries, but the largest export market is India. This is because many religious festivities are celebrated throughout the year in India wherein the people distribute dry fruits. These are also used in sweets, which are also distributed at these festivities. Therefore, the prices of dry fruits are much higher in India as compared to Pakistan.
Whatever may be the reason, the sale and consumption of dry fruits is high. But with all its goodness and richness, comes an important health aspect. Dr. Shabnam is a dietician and says that dry fruits are highly beneficial to health. She says that they have high level of heating capabilities, which gives a warming feel. “One cashew nut, two almonds, two munaqaas and one groundnut are said to be the natural daily intake of vitamin,” she said.
Dry fruits are high in calories and their intake in winter results in storing energy and body warmth. Though they are highly nutritious, an excessive intake of dry fruit can result in heath related problems. With excessive intake, there are chances of putting on weight that can be dangerous for patients with diabetes, blood Pressure (BP) and heart problems.
Whatever may be the case, dry fruits remain a favourite munching snack during winter. Whether one buys it from a wholesaler, retailer or a street cart vendor, everybody seems to enjoy it in winter time. Many would agree that the real pleasure of having peanuts is eating them during a chilly winter night. For those who are allergic to nuts or are not fond of having them, they don’t have the faintest idea what they are missing out on.
