Dry fruits are popular among all age groups for their various nutritional benefits. They are a great source of dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, calcium, iron, potassium and other minerals. They are also delicious, so they are used to enhance the flavour of a variety of dishes and sweets.
With having innumerable benefits, it is no wonder that dry fruits are considered a superfood. However, there is one major drawback that prevents people from eating dry fruits, and that is their high price.
But why dry fruits are so expensive?
Here are 4 reasons that make dry fruits so expensive.
Also read: The World’s Top 10 Most Expensive Dry Fruits
4 Reasons why dry fruits are expensive
They grow in a particular region and climate
The geographical location where the dry fruits are grown has a lot to do with their price. The taste, texture, and quality of the dry fruit also depend on the climate and soil of the region where it is grown.
Dry fruits such as cashews, walnuts, pistachios and pecan nuts need a proper climate condition. Heavy or no rainfall can impact the quality and quantity of dry fruits, which directly affect the prices of these nuts.
As a result, it’s easy to conclude that the price of dry fruits is largely determined by the region and climate in which they are grown. This is why the price of dry fruits fluctuates so much.
Also, It is quite difficult to grow dry fruits in other regions where the climate is not suitable for them.
Also read: 20+ Amazing List Of Dry Fruits Name To Include In Your Diet
They require an extensive labour force
The harvesting and processing of dry fruits is a time-consuming and labour-intensive process. The quality and taste of dry fruit are directly related to the amount of care and attention given to them during the harvesting and processing stages.
People who harvest dry fruits from trees must be skilled, as this is an important factor in preserving the dry fruit’s quality and shelf life. Pine nuts, for example, are grown in 100-foot trees, and local harvesters must risk their lives to pluck them, which is one of the reasons why pine nuts sell for around 117 dollars per kilogram in the United States.
Some dry fruits, such as cashews and pistachios contain harmful toxins, necessitating thorough cleaning by hand and careful handling. This increases the extra labour cost of processing these dry fruits.
Furthermore, not all dry fruits are of the same size or weight, so sorting them by size and weight requires more labour.
This need for a large skilled labour force has a very big impact on the price of dry fruits.
Low production and high demand
One of the main reasons dry fruits are so expensive is that their production is low and demand is high.
The process of producing dry fruits is very time-consuming and take years. For example, the second most expensive dry fruits, pine nuts, grow naturally in forests and require 25 to 50 years to bear cones and seeds. Also, the pistachios tree takes between 15 to 20 years to reach its peak production.
Thus the low production and high demand raises the overall cost of dry fruits to the point where they are no longer affordable.
Furthermore, to meet the ever-increasing demand for dry fruits around the world, the industry will require more labour, which will inevitably raise dry fruit prices.
High transportation cost and supply chain
Growing, harvesting, and processing dry fruits are one part of the process; the other is transporting them to other parts of the world, which is also costly.
Whether it’s the rising prices of fuel, oil or import taxes, all play a major role in deciding the price of dry fruits.
Also, the supply chain of dry fruits involves a lot of mediators, which further increases the price of dry fruits.
Tips for buying dry fruits at the right price
Dry fruits are, without a doubt, expensive. But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy these delicious and nutritious superfoods.
Here are some tips to help you get the best deal on dry fruits.
- Purchase from a wholesale market.
- Before making a purchase, compare the prices of various dry fruits. This will assist you in getting the best deal possible.
- To get a better deal, buy dry fruits in bulk.
- Before purchasing dry fruits, look for discounts and special offers.
- Limit your purchases of dry fruits during the festival season, when demand is high, and prices are high.
- Purchase them during their respective seasons, as dry fruits are at their peak of production during their harvesting season, resulting in a price drop.
Final words
Dry fruits are healthy, nutrient-rich snacks that people of all ages can enjoy. While they are more expensive than other snacks, there are several reasons why they are worth the investment.
Include dry fruits in your diet and see how your health improves in no time.
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