New Delhi, Nov 22 (IANS) Afghani businessmen have not only brought their sought-after hand woven carpets and lapis lazuli stones to showcase at the India International Trade Fair (IITF) here, but also various types of nuts and pomegranates.
“Apart from our normal traditional things like carpets and clothes, people are very fond of the dry fruits available in our country. This time we have brought pomegranates to the exhibition and people are liking them too,” Arif Hussain, of Najib Manzoor Company Limited, told IANS.

“We have been coming to the fair for the past three years. Many people are buying these nuts. The number of visitors to the fair has been increasing with each passing year,” he added.

Afghanistan has over 20 stalls at the IITF, of which three to four are selling nuts like almonds, cashew and walnuts, and also dried figs. The Nov 14-27 trade fair is being held at Pragati Maidan.

Bimal Narayan bought around one kg of figs, or dried anjir, and half a kg of almonds from the Afghan stalls.

“The almonds are not at all bitter. It’s not that you don’t get good nuts in India, but Afghanistan is known for their almonds and other nuts, so why not buy them,” said Narayan.

Another exhibitor, Mohammad Habib of Sabet Saqab Company Ltd, said their dry fruits were reasonably priced and pure, that is the reason so many people bought them.

About 250 gm almonds, walnuts and apricots are available for Rs.150 each while one kg of figs is available at Rs.500.

Pomegranates are priced between Rs.130-150 per kg.

The Afghani stalls also offer jewellery studded with lapis lazuli, embroidered dress pieces and carpets with rich hand-woven work on them.