GB’s Dry Fruit Delights: A Sweet Spot for Revenue

Sultan Shoaib

Gilgit-Baltistan:

Pakistan is endowed with numerous natural advantages, including oceans, rivers, landscape, weather, fertile agricultural land, and fruits of good quality, particularly dried fruit.

However, due to a lack of proper attention and marketing, this natural bounty was unable to get a deserving space in international markets, resulting in a loss of earnings for the local people and valuable foreign exchange for the country.

Because Gilgit-Baltistan’s unique geography and climate are ideal for growing a variety of distinctive dry fruits such as apricots, almonds, walnuts, cherries, Kilao, and various types of berries, there is an urgent need to promote these distinct-flavored and nutritionally rich products in world markets.

“We take great pride in our dry fruits, particularly apricots, cherries, and walnuts,” said Gul Baz, a Hunza-based dry fruit farmer. “These are more than just a source of income; they are also an important part of our culture and heritage. Northern dry fruit is sweet and contains essential vitamins for the human body,” Gul Baz added.

One of the most notable features of Gilgit-Baltistan’s dried fruits is their exceptional nutritional value. They are high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, making them a healthy snack. In the region, for example, apricots are full of vitamin A and C content, while almonds and walnuts are great sources of protein and healthy fats.

“Dry fruits in Gilgit-Baltistan are nutritional powerhouses,” said Ayesha Ali, a local nutritionist.

“These products are rich in vitamins that are essential for immune support, skin health, protein, and healthy fats, as well as weight management and heart health. People must consume some dry fruits in their diet,” nutritionist Ayesha suggested.

While dry fruit farming has traditionally been a source of income for the people of Gilgit-Baltistan, limited commercial exposure has hindered its economic potential. Local communities can benefit from increased sales to increase their earnings while also working together to reduce poverty in the region by establishing proper marketing channels.

Aleem Hussain, a local marketing expert, has recommended a multifaceted approach to tap the potential of the unique dry fruits of Gilgit-Baltistan.

“First, we need investment in packaging and labelling to highlight our products and then establish strong partnerships with national and international distributors,” Hussain added.

“We should effectively participate in world food expos to market our products internationally and expand our market network. New tools like social media and e-marketing should be fully exploited to connect local farmers with a broader customer base, both nationally and internationally,” he explained.

According to Aleem Hussain, many dry fruit producers in Gilgit-Baltistan follow sustainable farming practices; their dry fruit orchards are organic and use traditional irrigation methods in natural environments. “Highlighting these practices can also be helpful for fruitful marketing and attracting eco-conscious consumers.”

He stated that, despite its immense potential, the dried fruit business in Gilgit-Baltistan has challenges such as limited infrastructure, a lack of awareness, and inadequate marketing strategies. “Addressing these challenges can be beneficial for both the country and the local people.”

The government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) can play a crucial role in unlocking the potential of Gilgit-Baltistan’s dry fruit business by providing financial support, technical assistance, and marketing expertise to local farmers and cooperatives in order to establish a sustainable supply chain. Proper marketing efforts to acquire spots in international markets will help Gilgit-Baltistan’s unique dry fruits become a globally sought-after delicacy. Exporting to countries with a growing demand for healthy and exotic foods can also be a game-changer for the region’s economy.

Meanwhile, according to Fazul Rehman, Director of Agriculture and Livestock Gilgit-Baltistan, the region produces over 3,000 metric tonnes of dry apricots, 3,000 metric tonnes of almonds, and a staggering 100,000 metric tonnes of walnuts annually. “Notably, all fruits grown in GB are organic, with no pesticides used, contributing to their superior quality and nutritional value,” Rehman said. “The region’s farmers could potentially earn more than $20 million from the export of dry fruits, against the current earnings of just an estimated Rs 50 million.”

He suggested cold storage, developing proper infrastructure to address issues like quality standards and certification, and imparting proper training to local farmers in order to maintain international standards. “Since dry fruit production in GB is seasonal, its production window may not align with global demand. This mismatch can lead to missed opportunities in the international market.”

Gilgit-Baltistan provides a treasure of unique dry fruits on the earth’s surface, similar to many other treasures under the ground, such as gold, cobalt, barite, dolomite, copper, and so on. However, for the world’s nations, these are the hidden gems waiting to be discovered.

As a result, with the right policies, support, and investment, this region has the potential to become a global hub for high-quality dry fruits, benefiting both producers and consumers.

Furthermore, as an agricultural country, when respective governments announce incentives for small and large farmers, as well as subsidies and rebates to exporters for exporting these cash crops, they should also keep the dry fruit-producing potential of Northern Areas in mind as cash crops and include it in national policies as an incentive to grow this sector for its contribution to national prosperity.

The feature is released by APP.

Photo Credit: Shazia Khan

Edited by Shazia Mehboob

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