The dry fruits Pakistan grows best are dried apricots and walnuts from Hunza, Baltistan and Chitral, chilgoza pine nuts from the high forests of the Sulaiman range, and dates from Khairpur in Sindh and Turbat and Panjgur in Makran. Buy apricots and walnuts in the northern bazaars in autumn, dates in Sindh after the summer harvest, and chilgoza from late autumn into winter. City markets sell all of them all year, alongside a great deal of imported almonds, pistachios and raisins.
This guide goes through each one, where it comes from, the markets worth visiting, and how to tell good stock from tired stock before you hand over cash.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Apricots | Hunza and Baltistan; new dried crop from late summer |
| Walnuts | Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral; autumn |
| Chilgoza | Sulaiman range forests; autumn and early winter |
| Dates | Khairpur (Sindh); Turbat and Panjgur (Makran); summer harvest |
| Best markets | Karimabad and Skardu bazaars, Quetta, Khairpur |
| Most expensive | Chilgoza, by a wide margin |
| Payment | Cash; weigh in front of you |
Which dry fruits are actually grown in Pakistan?
It helps to separate the local crops from the imported ones, because shops mix them freely.
Pakistan's own dry fruits are apricots, walnuts, almonds and mulberries from the northern valleys, chilgoza from the pine forests of the west and north, and dates from Sindh and Balochistan. Pakistan is one of the world's largest date producers, fifth in 2024 with about 0.7 million tonnes, and dates have been grown here a very long time: there is archaeological evidence of date cultivation at Mehrgarh in Balochistan from around 7000 BCE.
Much of the pistachio, cashew and almond stock in city markets is imported. That is not a problem, but if you want local produce, ask where it comes from.
Hunza and Baltistan apricots
Apricots are the signature crop of Hunza and Baltistan, and they are dried on rooftops in late summer after the fruit ripens. In Hunza's Burushaski there are different words for each form: batering are sun-dried halves with the stone removed, and guli are whole apricots dried with the kernel inside. Kernels are eaten as a nut and pressed for apricot oil, used in cooking and on the skin.
Look for apricots that are dark orange to brown and slightly chewy. The bright orange ones in city shops are usually treated with sulphur to keep the colour; the naturally dried ones are darker and taste stronger.
Our guide to dry fruits of Gilgit-Baltistan covers the Karimabad and Skardu bazaars in detail.
Walnuts from the north
Walnut trees grow throughout Gilgit-Baltistan and Chitral, and the new crop comes down in autumn. They are sold both in the shell and shelled, and local stock is worth asking for by name. In Chitral, walnuts go into the local breads, including the walnut breads of the Kalash valleys, and in Hunza into the walnut cake sold in Karimabad's cafés; see our Hunza walnut cake guide.
To check quality, crack one. The kernel should be pale and taste sweet. A dark, bitter kernel means old or rancid stock.
Chilgoza: Pakistan's pine nuts
Chilgoza are the seeds of the chilgoza pine, Pinus gerardiana, sold in their thin brown shells and eaten by the handful in winter. The cones are knocked from the trees in autumn and early winter, and the nuts reach the markets from late autumn. In Balochistan, the high slopes of the Sulaiman range in Sherani district carry chilgoza forest.
Chilgoza is the most expensive dry fruit in any Pakistani market, by a wide margin, and the price moves sharply from year to year with the harvest. The tree is also classed as Near Threatened, mainly because of forest loss, grazing and over-harvesting. Buy in small amounts, and choose plump, glossy nuts; shrivelled ones are old.
Dates from Sindh and Makran
Khairpur is Sindh's date district, and the summer harvest fills the town's markets with fresh and dried dates. Our Khairpur dates guide covers the season, the varieties and the markets.
Makran, in southern Balochistan, is the other date country. Turbat is known for its date production and has a date-processing factory, and Panjgur district grows Mazafati dates, a premium soft table variety, on around 27,000 acres.
Travel to Makran needs care. The UK government advises against all travel to Balochistan (advice updated September 2026). Pakistani visitors who go should check current conditions and police advice, and for most people the realistic way to buy Makran dates is in Karachi and Quetta markets.
Where to buy dry fruit in Pakistan
- Karimabad, Hunza. Small shops along the bazaar road sell local apricots, kernels, apricot oil, walnuts and mulberries. Best in autumn, when the new crop is in. See our Hunza and Gilgit destination page.
- Skardu bazaar. A similar range, with Baltistan apricots and other local dry fruit.
- Quetta. Kandahari Bazaar is the old wholesale trade and Liaquat Bazaar has a dedicated dry fruit market; see our Quetta dry fruit market guide. The Balochistan travel advice above applies.
- Khairpur. For dates in season.
- Lahore, Karachi and Islamabad. Every city has dry-fruit shops in its old bazaars and markets, with the widest choice of both local and imported stock. Prices are higher than at source, but selection and packing are better.
How to buy dry fruit without being overcharged
- Taste first. Any decent shop will let you try a walnut, an apricot or a few chilgoza.
- Watch it weighed. Ask for the scale to be zeroed with the bag on it.
- Check the bottom of the bag. Broken pieces, dust and stones tend to settle there.
- Ask local or imported. The price difference can be large, especially for almonds.
- Compare two or three shops before buying a large amount; prices for the same item vary.
- Buy in season. New-crop apricots and walnuts in autumn and chilgoza in early winter are fresher and better value than stock that has sat for a year.
- Store it cool and airtight. Walnuts and chilgoza go rancid in heat, so do not leave them in a hot car on the drive south.
We do not print a price list here. Dry fruit prices change every season with the harvest, the rupee and the share of imported stock, and the figures quoted online vary from shop to shop and week to week.
Is it worth buying at source?
For apricots and walnuts, yes. A bag of new-season Hunza apricots bought in Karimabad in October is one of the most popular things to bring home from the north, and it is easy to carry. For chilgoza and dates, the big city markets are usually just as good and far easier to reach.
If you are travelling north on our Gilgit, Hunza and Khunjerab tour, Karimabad's bazaar is on the way. Our experiences page has more ideas for food and shopping.
Frequently asked questions
Which dry fruits are famous in Pakistan?
Hunza and Baltistan apricots, northern walnuts and almonds, chilgoza pine nuts, and dates from Khairpur and Makran.
Where are chilgoza grown in Pakistan?
In high pine forests in the west and north, including the Sulaiman range in Sherani district, Balochistan. They are harvested in autumn and early winter.
Why are Hunza apricots dark?
Naturally sun-dried apricots turn dark orange to brown. Bright orange dried apricots are usually treated with sulphur to keep their colour.
Are apricot kernels safe to eat?
The sweet kernels sold in Hunza are eaten as a nut, but raw kernels contain amygdalin, which forms cyanide. The European Food Safety Authority advises adults to keep to about three small raw kernels at a time.
When is the best time to buy dry fruit in Pakistan?
Autumn for new-crop apricots and walnuts, early winter for chilgoza, and late summer for dates.
