Tihar 2083: Dry Fruit Prices Surge in Nepal Amid Import Supply Bottlenecks
4th November 2026, Kathmandu
Tihar 2083: Import and Prices of Dry Fruits (Bhai Masala) Surge in Nepal
Discover why Bhai Masala and dry fruit prices in Kathmandu have surged ahead of Tihar. Read full market insights, pistachio price updates, and customs trade stats.
As Nepal prepares for the grand festival of Tihar, market demand for Bhai Masala (dry fruits and nuts) has reached its annual peak. However, consumers in Kathmandu and major urban centers are feeling the heat of rising prices. Despite an increase in overall import volume to meet festive demand, significant supply chain disruptions have pushed wholesale and retail prices upward.
The price surge is primarily driven by recent floods, customs closures during Dashain, and delayed import shipments.
Key Highlights: Tihar Dry Fruit Market Overview
Pistachio Price Jump: Pistachios have seen the steepest price increase, climbing from NPR 2,200 per kg last year to NPR 3,500–3,600 per kg.
General Inflation: Most dry fruits have become costlier by NPR 150 to NPR 200 per kg.
Increased Import Value: Nepal imported 17,000 metric tons of dry fruits worth NPR 3.29 billion in the first quarter of FY 2083/84.
Supply Blockades: Disruptions caused by floods in Rasuwa and a week-long customs clearance halt during Dashain led to market shortages.
Supply Chain Bottlenecks Behind Rising Prices
Wholesale traders at Kathmandu’s Kalimati market report that retail prices reflect rising procurement costs rather than artificially inflated vendor margins.
According to Anurag Chaudhary, a trader with 15 years of experience in Kalimati, three major factors collided right before Tihar:
Rasuwa Flood Damage: Severe flooding in Rasuwa damaged key trade corridors, causing severe transit delays.
Advertisement
Customs Clearance Delays: Customs offices were closed for nearly a week during Dashain, halting freight clearance.
Festive Demand Surge: Once border points reopened, immediate high demand for Tihar supplies outpaced available inventory, driving costs up.
“We are maintaining our usual profit margins. The high retail prices reflect elevated procurement and transit costs. Retail traders alone cannot cushion these price fluctuations,” explained Chaudhary. He added that if market tight spots persist, pistachio prices could touch NPR 3,800 per kg.
Global Import Dependencies for Bhai Tika
Sisters traditionally give dry fruits such as cashews, almonds, raisins, pistachios, walnuts, and dates to their brothers as Sagun during Bhai Tika. Because local agricultural production cannot meet national consumer demand, Nepal relies heavily on imports.
Primary sourcing countries include:
India & China: Raisins, betel nuts, and walnuts.
United States: Almonds and premium walnuts.
Vietnam, Indonesia, & Thailand: Cashews, coconuts, and processed dry fruits.
Trade Statistics: FY 2083/84 Q1 Data
According to official statistics from the Department of Customs, Nepal’s imports of dry fruit commodities have surged in both value and volume compared to the previous fiscal year:
With Tihar fast approaching, trade activity remains high across Nepalese marketplaces, but tight market supplies continue to keep consumer prices under pressure.
For more: Tihar 2083 Dry Fruit Prices Surge
