Mahesh Patel, a shop-owner in Khanderao Market, says prices of cashewnuts have increased by around Rs 30 from last year; prices average around Rs 350 per kg. ``That's because the nuts are exported'', he says. Another shopkeeper, however, feels the hike is because of short supply.

But the high prices have not led to any shortfall of buyers. ``After all, individuals don't buy dry fruits in kilos. They buy them in amounts of 250 gms or 500 gms'', explains a shop-keeper.

``Business is pretty good'', says Prem Granchandani, another shopkeeper, adding that prices haven't changed all that much from last year. ``In fact, everything but cashewnuts cost less than last year'', he says.

Apricots cost around Rs 100 per kg, angeer around Rs 150 per kg and pistas around Rs 350 per kg.

A spokesperson of Rajesh Stores, Raopura, says that compared to last year, sales have gone up by 10 to 15 per cent. According to the Vadodara Municipal Corporation, the import of dryfruits into the city increases with the beginning of this festival. ``This'll continue till Diwali'', a spokesman says.