The price of pine nuts (chilgoza) in Lower South Waziristan has plunged to its lowest level in years, dropping from last season’s Rs10,000 per kilogram to just Rs3,000 this year. The sharp decline has thrown thousands of families into financial uncertainty, especially those whose livelihoods depend entirely on the region’s prized dry fruit.
Local traders say the sudden collapse in prices has hit the community harder than expected. Imran Wazir, a commission agent, explained that three major factors triggered this unexpected downturn: an unusually large harvest, reduced international demand, and what he described as persistent harassment of pine nut traders by customs and police officials in major cities like Lahore and Rawalpindi.
According to him, this year’s production soared far beyond normal levels. “Growers were hopeful that a bumper crop would translate into better earnings, but the opposite happened. When the supply flooded the market, prices crashed much faster than anyone had imagined,” he said.
The current price less than one-third of last year’s has alarmed growers who invested heavily in labour, transport, and processing. Traders say the situation has been worsened by routine interference from officials outside the district. Trucks carrying pine nuts are frequently stopped, documents checked repeatedly, and consignments delayed without any valid reason.
“Chilgoza is not like ordinary dry fruit. It is delicate and highly perishable. Even a small delay can shave off its market value,” Mr. Wazir explained. “When trucks are held up for hours or an entire day, the product loses freshness and the price drops immediately.”
Traders recall that last year, customs authorities in Lahore sealed markets run by Waziristan traders, causing substantial losses. “We were just beginning to recover from that blow, and now this season has brought another crisis,” said one trader.
They emphasized that the chilgoza trade is one of the region’s most labour-intensive seasonal activities beginning with climbing steep mountains to collect cones, followed by shelling, cleaning, drying, and storing. “We work honestly and pay all legal dues, including the Rs5 per kilogram fee to the forest department. Yet we are stopped again and again on the highways as if we are doing something illegal,” a trader complained.
Grower Javed Wazir said that this year’s harvest increased nearly threefold, putting immense pressure on the local market. With global demand also weakening particularly in Gulf and East Asian countries export orders have declined noticeably. “When the international market cools down, local prices feel the impact immediately,” he added.
However, he described the interference from customs and police as the “most damaging factor,” warning that if such practices continue, Pakistan’s chilgoza exports could suffer a major setback. “Waziristan’s pine nuts are among the best in the world. But unnecessary obstacles are putting the entire trade at risk,” he said.
Traders are urging the government to step in without delay. They want unnecessary checkpoints removed and clear instructions issued to relevant departments not to misuse their authority. “Thousands of families rely on this trade. The government needs to ensure smooth transportation and protect this crucial source of income before the next season arrives,” a trader said.
