Diwali sweet gifts to get dearer, price of dry fruits skyrockets  | Chandigarh News - The Indian Express

The classic Diwali snacks, including the basic dry fruits or sweets, without which the festival of lights is incomplete are going to be a rip-off this year.

With only days left for Diwali, the fancy packaging has pushed the price of richly indulgent sweets and dry fruits further higher, apart from the price of allied items like ghee, sugar etc.

Rajinder Jain, president of Chandigarh Kariyana Association, told The Indian Express that even the fancy packaging has seen a 30 per cent price hike apart from the rise in wholesale rates of dry fruits.

Anjeer (Figs) – The price of the dry fruit has almost doubled with the wholesale rate of one kilogram of Anjeer costing Rs 1,500 this year from last year’s Rs 800. “Due to YouTube videos on its health benefits many prefer to make sure figs are part of the Diwali gift and this is the costliest dry fruit this year,” Jain said.

Kaju (Cashew nuts) – Another item that has seen a sharp spike in its rates are that of Kaju. One kilogram pack of unsalted Kaju now costs Rs 1,200 as against last year’s Rs 800.

Akhrot giri (Walnuts) – When it comes to being pricier, Akhrot giri isn’t behind. The wholesale cost of Akhrot giri which was Rs 800 last year is now costing Rs 1300 per kilogram. People are preferring to have akhrot giri in their Diwali gift box due to its health benefits.

Pistachios – The price of favourite Pistachios has also gone up to Rs 1,100 from Rs 900 a kilogram. Fancy packaging cost comes separate.

Almonds – Traders stated that Almonds haven’t seen much of a spike this year. Yet a wholesale charge of one kilogram of Almonds, which was Rs 500 last year, has now become Rs 720. Naresh Mahajan, a dry fruit dealer at the grain market, stated that almonds are the only ones that haven’t seen much price rise.

Dry fruit ladoos – Due to the increasing prices of dry fruits, this sweet has also become dearer. A small pack of dry fruit ladoos which costs Rs 700 is now costing Rs 950 to Rs 1,000 this Diwali.

Kaju Katli – Owing to the spike in price of Kaju, even the all-famous Kaju Katli is expensive. A small pack which was Rs 700 last year is now Rs 900.

Other Diwali items

Sarson oil – According to traders, the Sarson oil, which was around Rs 120 per litre two months ago, costs Rs 160 per litre now.

Vanaspati Ghee – A wholesale pack of vanaspati ghee, which was Rs 100, now costs Rs 160.

Jaggery and Sugar – Though there hasn’t been much of an enhancement in prices, the items witnessed a marginal hike in prices. Jaggery which was Rs 40 per kilogram has gone up to Rs 50-55 while sugar has enhanced from Rs 41 to 44 per kilo.

Gift hampers too becomes dearer

Due to fancy packaging and making the gift look more attractive, many people are preferring to give gift hampers which, this year, are as expensive as Rs 3000.

Most sought after is a hamper which comprises plain cashews, plain almonds, copper hammered glasses, candles, a table clock and organic honey which costs Rs 3000.

Hina Rohtaki is a Special Correspondent with The Indian Express, Chandigarh. She covers Chandigarh administration and other cross beats. In this field for over a decade now, she has also received the prestigious Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award by the President of India in January 2020. She tweets @HinaRohtaki ... Read More

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