QUETTA: In a surprising market shift, the price of Chilgoza, the prized pine nut, has witnessed a dramatic decline of 50 to 60 percent in Balochistan this year, providing a rare bargain for consumers but raising concerns among local farmers and traders.
According to a report by private TV channel Samaa News, the commodity that was previously sold for between Rs. 15,000 to Rs. 18,000 per kilogram is now available for just Rs. 6,000 to Rs. 9,000 per kg. In the major Chilgoza-producing districts of Zhob and Sherani, prices have fallen even more steeply, with the nuts being sold for as low as Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 5,000 per kilogram this season.
Local farmers and traders have pointed to a combination of factors behind the price crash. The closure of the Pak-Afghan border is cited as a primary reason, severely disrupting a key export route and leading to a surplus in the local market. Additionally, a lack of rainfall is believed to have impacted the quality and yield of the crop, further depressing its market value. While the reasons are detrimental to the local economy, citizens are seizing the opportunity to purchase the otherwise expensive dry fruit at a fraction of its usual cost.
Experts have highlighted another critical issue exacerbating the problem: the lack of cold storage facilities in Balochistan. Chilgoza is a perishable commodity, and without proper cold storage, the nuts lose weight and quality rapidly. This lack of infrastructure forces traders into a precarious position, compelling them to sell their stock quickly at lower prices to avoid total spoilage, thereby incurring significant financial losses in a season that has proven to be particularly challenging.
Meanwhile Senior politician and former Senator Nawabzada Haji Mir Lashkari Khan Raisani has issued a stark message to the citizens of Quetta, urging them to elect trustworthy and responsible representatives in the upcoming local government elections to rescue the city from its multifaceted crises.
