Srinagar: Despite some respite in freight charges following the deployment of RTC trucks, Kashmir’s apple growers continue to grapple with one of the toughest seasons in recent memory, as plummeting demand in outside markets overshadows the relief.
Kashmir, often called the “Apple Bowl of India”, contributes nearly 75–78% of the country’s total apple production, producing about 2 million metric tonnes annually.
According to official figures, the valley harvested 20.64 lakh metric tonnes of apples in 2023–24, with a similar projection of 20.56 lakh metric tonnes for the ongoing 2024–25 season.
However, instead of boosting confidence among growers, this year’s marketing season has been marred by weak demand, oversupply in mandis, and prices that continue to nosedive.
Bashir Ahmad Basheer, Chairman of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union told KNO that growers are extremely anxious about the slow pace of sales.
“So far, only 30–35% of the produce has been transported to markets, while nearly 70% is still lying in godowns and orchards. The government’s step of pressing RTC trucks into service did help check skyrocketing freight rates, but the bigger problem this year is demand. The rates in mandis are falling further instead of improving,” he said.
Growers across south Kashmir’s fruit-rich districts of Shopian and Pulwama echoed the same concerns.
Ghulam Nabi, a grower from Shopian, said: “Our apples are reaching mandis, but buyers are not offering fair prices. After the freight issue was addressed, we hoped for some improvement. Instead, the rates are dropping every single day. It is extremely discouraging.”
Abdul Rashid, another orchardist from Pulwama, said quality was not the issue this year: “The produce is excellent, but what is the use if there is no demand? The cost of labour, sprays, and packaging has gone up, and if rates remain so low, growers will suffer heavy financial losses again.”
This industry has already suffered heavy losses due to the highway crisis, followed by high freight charges, diseases and natural calamities.
As per the fruit growers’ associations, this industry has suffered a loss of over Rs 1200 crore so far due to highway closure.
The apple industry, regarded as the backbone of the valley’s rural economy, directly or indirectly supports more than 3.5 million people. With the sector already battered by frequent highway closures, inadequate cold storage capacity, and rising production costs, growers fear that this year’s poor returns could push many families deeper into debt. (KNO)
