Most likely, Himachal Pradesh will face a sharp dip in apple production this year. Official estimates claim that the production will be between one-and-a-half and 200,000 boxes, against 336,000 crore boxes witnessed last year; a drop of nearly 50%.
Since 2010, when the state recorded its highest produce ever with over 400,000 boxes, the production has dipped below 200,000 boxes only three times; in 2011, 2012 and 2018.
The drastic drop in production estimates reflects how fickle the weather has been this year, and heavy reliance of fruit on climatic conditions. Even as the area under apple cultivation is increasing steadily — from 101,485 hectares in 2010 to 114,646 hectares in 2020, the state has not been able to match its 2010 production in the past 13 years.
Source: tribuneindia.com