With the advent of the winter season, the demand and sale of dry fruits has increased in Rawalpindi while the prices of dry fruits are noticing upward trend which were already beyond the reach of the common man. With the change of weather in the twin cities, Rawalpindi and Islamabad, demand for dry fruits has started increasing and the prices have gone up beyond the reach of low-income groups as apart from regular shopkeepers in the city markets of the twin cities the dry fruit vendors have significantly hiked the prices. Nuts is being sold in the city market at Rs 280 to Rs 320 per kg, grams at Rs 150 and 160/kg and varieties of almonds at Rs 360, Rs 450 and Rs 550/kg. Similarly, varieties of kernel are selling at Rs 700, rs 800 and Rs 900/kg, pistachio with and without shell at Rs 1,000 and Rs 1,600/kg respectively, walnut at Rs 250 to Rs 320/kg. The shopkeeper and dry fruit vendors have raised prices of dry fruits and charging exorbitant rates as there is no mechanism to control prices of such items.
