As Diwali shoppers stock up on almonds and walnuts, many may not realize that a significant portion of these “Indian” dry fruits are primarily imported. The market, valued at approximately ₹60,000 crore, sees an import share of around 75–80 percent.
Agritech startup KisaanSay aims to promote Indian-grown dry fruits as a premium alternative to imported options. Nitin Puri, CEO of KisaanSay, stated, “We conducted a blind survey in New Delhi’s upscale Connaught Place, targeting young consumers. All participants (100 percent) rated domestically grown dry fruits higher compared to imports in terms of taste, quality, and sweetness.”
Despite these findings, Puri acknowledged the bias many consumers hold toward imported nuts. To enhance visibility, KisaanSay has appointed dealers in Dallas (USA) and Dubai (UAE) to export Indian dry fruits, believing that this global presence will increase acceptance in the domestic market. The company estimates that the market for authentic domestic produce is around ₹3,000 crore, a small fraction of the overall sector.
Experts in the industry, however, caution against completely dismissing imported nuts as foreign products. Gunjan Jain, founder-president of the Nuts and Dry Fruits Council (India) and promoter of the Nutraj brand, remarked that most imports are raw materials that undergo processing, roasting, and packaging in India. “In that sense, they contribute to the Make in India ecosystem,” she noted.
The consumption of dry fruits is increasing at an annual rate of 10–15 percent, with the turnover linked to imports estimated at ₹32,000 crore. However, domestic production has remained stagnant. India’s walnut output has held steady at around 30,000 tonnes for over three decades, while China’s production has risen dramatically from the same base to 1.2 million tonnes.
Jain is advocating for the government to enhance domestic cultivation through a “Grow in India” initiative, stressing the potential for increased production in regions like Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Arunachal Pradesh, which have suitable climates for growing walnuts and pecans. “The entire coastal region is also conducive for cashew nut cultivation,” she added.
While pecans are noted for their sweetness and buttery flavor, walnuts are characterized by a more earthy taste. The consumption of pistachios, largely imported, has increased from about 9,000 tonnes five years ago to 40,000 tonnes per year. Similarly, walnut consumption has surged five-fold to 90,000 tonnes over the past eight years. Jain pointed out that India’s walnut production remains stagnant at approximately 30,000 tonnes, contrasting with China’s growth to 1.2 million tonnes in the same timeframe.
As the debate about “swadeshi versus processed imports” heats up, it is evident that while India’s festive nut bowl may appear local, much of its contents originate from foreign sources, often merely finished in the country.
With consumer preferences shifting towards locally sourced goods, the definition of what constitutes “Indian” in the dry fruits market could significantly influence how the sector positions itself and how much of the festive expenditure is truly home-grown.
Published on October 12, 2025.
