The closure of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border has led to a sharp increase in prices of dry fruits in Quetta, particularly pine nuts (chilgoza), which have now become a luxury item — selling for Rs8,000 to Rs9,000 per kilogram.

Despite being the peak dry fruit season, Quetta’s markets wear a deserted look following the suspension of the cross-border trade and the ongoing repatriation of Afghan refugees.

Buyers say the steep prices have made it difficult for them to purchase dry fruits as they did in previous years.

Traders in Quetta’s dry fruit market have also expressed concern over the price hike, noting that high-quality pine nuts arriving from Bannu are about Rs3,000 per kilogram more expensive than those from Zhob and other local areas, mainly due to the suspension of supplies from Afghanistan.

Market vendors report that with prices continuing to climb and stock dwindling, sales have dropped drastically.

Dry fruits are becoming increasingly expensive and scarce as the border closure stretches on, the traders added.