Apple growers in Kashmir are witnessing strong returns as demand for their produce stored in cold storage units continues to rise. The increased demand has led many growers to release their apples earlier than usual to ensure good profits.
Traditionally, the dispatch of apples from Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storage units would begin in mid-February. However, this year, growers started selling as early as January to capitalise on favourable market conditions.
Growers said that demand has surged in the last 20 days, leading to higher earnings.
Javid Ahmad Reshie, a fruit grower from Shopian, said that a standard 10-kilogramme apple box is currently selling for Rs 1,300–Rs 1,500, while larger 16-kilogramme boxes are fetching Rs 1,800–Rs 2,000. By October 2024, cold storage facilities in Pulwama and Shopian had reached full capacity as growers stored their produce, anticipating better market rates.
Last year, nearly 20% of the apple stock remained unsold in cold storage facilities after nine months, partly due to an influx of imported apples. However, this year has started on a positive note, with growers hopeful for consistent demand and profitable returns.
Growers emphasised the critical role of cold storage facilities in providing the flexibility to sell their produce in response to market demand. They called for further expansion of such infrastructure to stabilise supply chains and market prices.
The demand saw a temporary dip due to the Delhi elections, but prices have rebounded, bringing relief to growers, they said. Many are optimistic that the upward trend will continue, allowing them to recover from last year’s losses when it took more than nine months to clear stored stock.
Mehraj Ahmad, a cold storage unit manager, said these facilities give growers greater control over their sales. “Kashmiri apples are among the most delicious in the world but there is a need for improved packaging and grading to compete with imports, which attract customers with superior presentation,” he said.
Kashmir currently has around 50 cold storage units, primarily in SIDCO Lassipora. The region produces an average of over 20 lakh metric tonnes of apples annually, sometimes reaching up to 25 lakh metric tonnes. Approximately 3 lakh metric tonnes of apples are currently stored in CA facilities across the Valley.
With demand soaring, growers remain hopeful that the trend will persist, ensuring a profitable season ahead—(KNO)
