India's dry fruit & nut market grows despite challenges

The dry fruits and nuts industry encounters issues such as price volatility, import dependency, and supply chain complexities. The Nuts & Dry Fruits Council of India, NDFC (I), works to unify the sector, addressing export, import, quality concerns, pricing instability, branding limitations, and regulatory gaps. The council's MEWA Indian 2025 event in Mumbai highlighted India's growing demand for nuts and dry fruits.

Gunjan Jain, President of NDFC(I), noted that the event attracted over 300 exhibitors and 10,000 participants from more than 25 countries. The US, Turkey, and Iran had notable participation. These countries view India as a key export market due to its expanding consumer base and strategic trade position in Asia.

The organized market for nuts and dry fruits is expanding, supported by enhanced supply chains, packaging, and branding. Major players include brands, retail chains like DMart and Reliance, and e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and BigBasket. Trends indicate increasing demand for premium, organic varieties, value-added products, and e-commerce growth, with consumers focusing on sustainability and ethical sourcing.

Despite the growth of the organized market, the unorganized sector still accounts for 60-70% of the market share, driven by cost advantages and traditional buying habits.

This sector faces challenges, including quality issues, pricing volatility, limited branding, and regulatory gaps. Nevertheless, it remains a dominant force in local and bulk sales.