Imports of Pistachios and Dried Dates from Iran Disrupted

29-Apr-2026 05:24 PM

Mumbai. Difficulties regarding the export of pistachios and dried dates from Iran are steadily mounting. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz is disrupting maritime shipments of these commodities, while the trade corridor between Afghanistan and Iran is also no longer considered safe for commercial activity.

It is understood that attempts are being made to transport small quantities of these two dry fruits out of Iran through smuggling channels; however, the blockade by U.S. vessels surrounding the Strait of Hormuz has rendered this route extremely perilous. Furthermore, the Iranian government's export control policies have led to a perceptible shortage of these dry fruits in the markets of India and the European Union.

According to a leading trading firm, the global trade in dry fruits is witnessing consistent growth and is projected to reach a value of $11.06 billion in the current year. Although demand for high-quality, health-beneficial dry fruits remains robust, significant bottlenecks have emerged within the supply chain. Consequently, an environment of rising and firming prices is likely to persist.

Since dry fruits from Afghanistan have historically reached India via the Iranian route, these shipments are also being adversely affected. As far as cashews are concerned, domestic market prices have remained relatively stable. The harvesting and processing of the new cashew crop are currently underway—a process expected to continue through the coming month. Prices for cashews may witness a slight upward trend in the months ahead.