The closure of the Wagah-Attari border could lead to rise of 20% in the prices of dry fruits in India, traders have warned.

According to a report in Indian publication Economic Times, prices of dry fruits have already started soaring in India since the closure of the border.

“India imports nearly 90% of dried figs and heeng it consumes, 50% of saffron, dried apricots and munakka,” the report added.

The report quoted officials from the Nuts and Dry Fruits Council of India (NDFCI) who said that prices could rise further in the coming weeks.

The increase in prices of Afghan-origin fruits could be in the range of 15-20%, according to the report. Meanwhile, alternate routes through Iran and elsewhere have posed other challenges.

India announced that the Wagah-Attari border will be closed after an attack in Pahalgam killed 26 terrorists. Blaming Pakistan, India also reduced Pakistani diplomatic presence, revoked visas for Pakistanis and announce that it would hold the Indus Waters Treaty in abeyance.

In response, Pakistan also revoked visas for Indians, reduced Indian diplomatic presence in Pakistan and closed its airspace for Indian planes.