Traders in Agra halt import of dates, pistachios from Pakistan

  • | Saturday | 23rd February, 2019

Ahead of Holi, the demand for dates, pistachios with other dry fruits increases every year. Ahead of Holi, the decision has resulted in a complete freeze on import of dates and Peshawari pistachios. Traders believe the move is likely to hit Pakistani dry fruit suppliers.“Different variety of dates are supplied from Rawalpindi and Peshawar in Pakistan through Wagah-Attari boarder. In the district, dry fruits worth Rs 25 crore were imported. All the major mandis have refused to supply fruits and vegetables to Pakistan.

Agra: Post the Pulwama terror attack on Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) convoy, India had decided to revoke the most favoured nation MFN) status given to Pakistan along with hiking custom duty by 200 percent on imports. Ahead of Holi, the decision has resulted in a complete freeze on import of dates and Peshawari pistachios. In the district, dry fruits worth Rs 25 crore were imported. Out of which dates were worth Rs 20 crores and pispistachios Rs 5 crore. Traders believe the move is likely to hit Pakistani dry fruit suppliers.“Different variety of dates are supplied from Rawalpindi and Peshawar in Pakistan through Wagah-Attari boarder. Ahead of Holi, the demand for dates, pistachios with other dry fruits increases every year. A 200 percent hike in custom duty on imports from Pakistan has stopped business completely. Rates of different variety of dates have risen by Rs 5 to 15 last week. The reddish-black colour dates which customers prefer are being sold at Rs 80 per kg,” city based dry fruit trader Atul Bansal said.The trade association backed the government's decision and said that they would support the government's decision.“Last year around 250 trucks of dry fruits mainly dates and Peshwari pistachios were supplied from Pakistan. The cost of the orders were over Rs 25 crore at the local level. Now, no business will be done with Pakistan. We support the government decision of revoking MFN status to Pakistan. We will manage somehow, but Pakistan will have to deal with major losses," Agra vyapar mandal president TN Agarwal said,Meanwhile, fruits and vegetables meant to be exported to Pakistan has been completely stopped. The association also backed the government's decision.Agra fruits and vegetable association leader, KL Manvani said, “Decision has been taken that fruits and vegetables will not be supplied to Pakistan at any cost. There is major shortage of tomato, onion, chili, lemon etc in Pakistan. All the major mandis have refused to supply fruits and vegetables to Pakistan. We fully support government decision to enforce sanctions against Pakistan”.

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