Last year, apple growers faced challenges as stagnant prices persisted until April, compelling them to sell their harvests at lower rates. According to growers, favorable market prices encourage the sale of produce stored in Controlled Atmosphere (CA) stores across the Kashmir Valley.
Mohamad Ashraf Wani, President of Fruit Mandi Shopian, noted that a 10 kg box of the Delicious variety is priced at approximately $11.50 to $12.00, while a 14 kg carton ranges from $17.00 to $18.00. He mentioned that prices in various Mandis have remained favorable thus far.
Many cultivators see the potential for market improvement. However, they prefer to sell their produce before temperatures rise outside the Valley. Approximately 100,000 metric tons of stored apples have been sold in wholesale markets nationwide.
Wani stated, "Around 200,000 to 250,000 metric tons of apples were stocked in various CA storages this year." Official data estimates the 2024-2025 production at 2.03 million metric tons, similar to the previous year. However, growers report a 10 to 15 percent decrease due to a prolonged dry spell and erratic weather from February to April 2024.
Mushtaq Ahmad, an orchardist from Shopian, said, "The production was at least 10 to 15 percent low due to unfavorable weather conditions during the ideal farming season." He noted that favorable prices helped offset losses.
From June to September 2024, Jammu and Kashmir experienced a 35 percent rainfall deficit, with Shopian district facing an 81 percent shortfall. This climatic shift increased pests like Leaf Miner and Green Aphid. Tariq Ahmad Mir, another grower, commented, "These weather conditions also took a toll on the quality of fruit across all the apple-producing districts of Kashmir."
Source: Greater Kashmir