Pista, Kaju & Akhrot Prices in Pakistan 2026: Complete Nuts Buying Guide

In September 2026, pistachios cost Rs 3,600–6,000/kg in-shell and Rs 9,000–9,500/kg shelled in Pakistan; cashews Rs 4,200–5,500/kg; walnut kernels Rs 2,900–3,600/kg and in-shell Rs 1,400–1,900/kg. Walnuts give the best nutrition per rupee, while pistachios are the premium snack pick for gifting and guests.

Quick Price Comparison: Pista vs Kaju vs Akhrot (Per Kg, Sept 2026)

Prices below are retail per-kilogram ranges observed across Pakistani retailers in September 2026, including Khan Dry Fruits' live catalogue:

One reason prices have stayed relatively stable through 2026: the rupee has been on a record ~250-day strengthening run (USD/PKR ≈ 277 in late September 2026), capping import-driven inflation on nuts. Most 2026 price pressure comes from duties and seasonal demand, not currency.

Pistachios (Pista) Prices in Pakistan 2026

Pistachios are the most expensive of the three everyday nuts — and the price spread is wide. Salted, roasted in-shell pista ranges from Rs 3,600/kg for economy Iranian grades to Rs 6,000/kg for premium lots. KDF's own salted pista sits at Rs 5,200–6,000/kg, reflecting larger, uniformly roasted nuts with clean, naturally split shells.

In-shell vs kernels: why the 1.6x jump

Pistachio kernels (maghaz) cost roughly 1.6 times the in-shell price — Rs 9,000–9,500/kg — because shelling labour and yield loss (about half the weight is shell) are baked in. Buy kernels for cooking, desserts or gifting; for everyday snacking, in-shell pista is far better value.

How to check pista quality before buying

• Shell colour: Look for naturally beige shells with a green kernel visible in the split. Avoid unnaturally bright white or dyed-red shells — dyeing masks old stock.
• The split test: Fresh pista shells open easily with a clean natural split. Closed, hard-to-crack shells are usually immature or stale.
• Kernel colour: Deep green kernels signal freshness and higher quality; yellowish-brown, shrivelled kernels are old.
• Smell: Rancid or musty odour means the oils have turned — reject the batch, especially in summer.

Browse premium salted pistachios online in Pakistan — KDF stocks graded Iranian and premium lots with consistent roasting.

Cashews (Kaju) Prices & Grades in Pakistan 2026

Cashews sit in the middle of the price ladder: raw/plain whole cashews Rs 4,200–5,250/kg, and roasted salted whole Rs 3,800–5,500/kg depending on grade and brand. KDF's roasted kaju range (Rs 4,300–5,500/kg) covers whole premium grades.

What is W240 grade — and is it worth the premium?

Cashew grades are numbered by how many whole kernels fit in one pound (454g). W240 means about 240 kernels per pound — large, plump, whole nuts. Smaller numbers = bigger nuts = higher price. The common grades you'll see:

• W240 — large whole kernels, the premium retail grade (most expensive)
• W320 — medium whole kernels, the everyday sweet spot for price vs size
• W450 / splits / pieces — smaller or broken kernels, 25–35% cheaper than whole grades

Whole W240 commands the premium because large unbroken kernels are rarer and present better for gifting. But here's the honest buying tip: for cooking, curries, desserts and energy balls, splits and pieces are nutritionally identical and 25–35% cheaper. Pay the W240 premium only when the nuts will be seen — gift boxes, serving bowls, festive platters.

Roasted vs raw kaju

Roasted salted cashews are ready to eat and usually cost about the same as raw whole at retail (Rs 3,800–5,500/kg range overlaps). Raw cashews suit cooking and roasting at home where you control the salt and oil. Quality check for any kaju: reject oily, soft, shrivelled or dark-spotted nuts — cashews should be firm, creamy-white to pale ivory, and snap cleanly.

Shop whole cashews in every grade — from everyday W320 to premium whole W240 lots.

Walnuts (Akhrot) Prices in Pakistan 2026

Walnuts are the bargain of the trio. In-shell akhrot costs just Rs 1,400–1,900/kg, while kernels (giri/maghaz) run Rs 2,900–3,600/kg — roughly double the in-shell price, since shelling halves the yield.

Desi vs imported walnuts

• Desi (Gilgit-Baltistan): Thinner shells, higher oil content, richer flavour — the best kernel recovery.
• American: Large, uniform, light-coloured kernels — the premium kernel grade.
• Chinese Kagzi: Paper-thin shells, easy to crack, widely available at competitive prices.

Match the walnut to the job: desi or American kernels for eating raw and gifting; Kagzi in-shell for the family snack bowl. In Pakistani summers, always buy sealed, airtight packs — never open-basket walnuts that have sat in a warm shop for weeks. Rancid walnuts taste bitter and paint-like; fresh ones are buttery and mildly sweet.

Find fresh walnut kernels and in-shell akhrot in sealed, date-stamped packs.

Which Nut Gives the Best Nutrition Per Rupee?

Per 100g (approximate, USDA reference values):

Now divide by the September 2026 price:

• Walnuts win clearly. At Rs 2,900–3,600/kg for kernels, walnuts are the cheapest premium nut — and the only common nut with meaningful plant omega-3 (ALA). For daily nutrition on a budget, akhrot is unbeatable value.
• Cashews are the all-rounder. Mid-priced with the creamiest texture — best for cooking, desserts and kids. Strong in magnesium and iron.
• Pistachios are the premium pick. Highest protein per 100g and the most satisfying snack, but at Rs 9,000+/kg for kernels they're a treat, not a daily staple.

Bottom line: build your daily habit on walnuts, cook with cashew pieces, and keep pista for guests, gifting and festive snacking.

6 Quality Checks Before You Buy Any Nuts

• Uniformity: Kernels should be similar in size and colour — mixed sizes signal blended old and new stock, and dust or broken bits at the bottom of the pack signal rough handling.
• Smell test: Any rancid, musty or chemical smell means the oils have turned. Walk away.
• Snap test: A fresh nut snaps crisply; a bendy, chewy nut has absorbed moisture.
• Sealed packaging: Prefer vacuum or nitrogen-flushed sealed packs over open baskets, especially May–September.
• Pack date: Nuts are best within 6 months of packing. Ask for the packing date on loose purchases.
• Price sanity: If "premium" pista or W240 kaju is priced far below the market ranges above, it's almost certainly a lower grade in disguise.

How to Store Nuts in Pakistani Weather

Pakistan's heat and monsoon humidity are the two biggest enemies of nut freshness:

• Airtight is non-negotiable. Transfer nuts to airtight glass jars or zip-lock bags the day you buy them — never leave them in the shop's thin plastic bag.
• Cool, dark place: A kitchen cabinet away from the stove works for 2–3 months in winter.
• Refrigerate in summer: Walnuts and pistachio kernels especially — refrigeration extends freshness to 6+ months and stops the oils going rancid.
• Freeze for bulk: Portion large wedding-season buys into weekly bags and freeze — frozen nuts keep up to a year with no taste loss.

Where to Buy Premium Nuts in Pakistan

If you'd rather skip the quality guesswork, Khan Dry Fruits sells graded, sealed-pack pista, kaju and akhrot at the transparent per-kg rates quoted in this guide. KDF offers same-day delivery across Lahore, cash-on-delivery nationwide, and a 15-day easy return policy. For full rate lists, see the dry fruits price in Pakistan collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the pista price in Pakistan in 2026?

Salted roasted in-shell pistachios cost Rs 3,600–6,000/kg depending on grade, while shelled pista kernels cost Rs 9,000–9,500/kg. Premium Iranian grades sit at the upper end of the in-shell range.

What is the kaju price in Pakistan in 2026?

Raw whole cashews cost Rs 4,200–5,250/kg and roasted salted whole cashews Rs 3,800–5,500/kg. Whole W240 grade is the premium tier; splits and pieces are 25–35% cheaper and identical for cooking.

What is the akhrot price in Pakistan in 2026?

In-shell walnuts cost Rs 1,400–1,900/kg and walnut kernels (giri) Rs 2,900–3,600/kg. Desi Gilgit walnuts have thinner shells and higher oil content than imported grades.

Which is better: W240 or W320 cashews?

W240 kernels are larger (240 per pound) and cost more — best for gifting and serving. W320 is the everyday sweet spot. For cooking and desserts, cashew pieces give the same nutrition for 25–35% less.

Are pistachio kernels worth double the price of in-shell pista?

Only for desserts, baking or premium gifting. For snacking, in-shell pista is far better value — roughly twice the eating volume per rupee, and shelling slows consumption.

How can I tell if walnuts have gone bad?

Rancid walnuts taste bitter, sharp or paint-like instead of buttery and mildly sweet. In summer, always buy sealed packs and refrigerate after opening — walnut oil oxidises faster than other nut oils in heat.

Why are dry fruit prices rising in Pakistan in 2026?

The main drivers are import duties and taxes (including a 50% regulatory duty on Afghan-origin imports), transport costs and seasonal winter/Ramadan demand. The stable rupee (USD/PKR ≈ 277) is actually capping what would otherwise be steeper import-driven inflation.