Apple growers face deepening crisis due to cold storage shortage, low demand, ‘mismanagement’

Pulwama, Sep 26: Kashmir’s apple industry - often described as the backbone of the valley’s economy - continues to reel under crisis this year. While highway blockades and low demand have already dented the season, the shortage of cold storage space has now left small and medium-scale growers in despair, forcing many to sell their produce at throwaway prices.

Speaking with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), small growers from Shopian, Pulwama, and adjoining districts said that while the government often advises them to make use of cold storage facilities during market slowdowns, the ground reality is very different.

“Tell us, what is the benefit of cold storage units when we can’t even store our produce in them?” asked Abdul Rashid, an orchardist from Pulwama. “We were waiting for better market rates by storing our apples, but when we approached the units, they said all slots were booked months ago. This facility only secures the position of big traders, while small and middle-class growers like us are left helpless.”

Another grower, Ghulam Ahmad from Shopian, urged immediate government action. “In every crisis, we are told to rely on cold storage. But capacity is far less than demand. Unless new units are established, this problem will haunt growers every year,” he said.

Growers also complained about the skyrocketing freight charges and low demand.

Bashir Ahmad, a dealer at Jabli Pora Mandi, highlighted their dilemma: “Imagine the plight of a grower; he can neither send produce outside due to high freight costs and low demand nor store them in cold storage due to advance bookings. What option is left except to sell apples at a loss?”

“Without immediate intervention, lakhs of families dependent on the apple trade will continue to suffer,” he said.

Adding to the discontent, former MLA Zainapora and current DDC member Aijaz Ahmad Mir accused certain cold storage units of mismanagement. “There are growing complaints regarding the functioning of units in Aglar Shopian and Lassipora. I urge the management to address these concerns with fairness. Do not exploit orchardists or cancel agreements that have already been finalised. Our farmers deserve dignity and justice for their toil,” he said.

Mir further pointed to chaotic scenes outside units: “Long queues of Tata mobiles loaded with apples can be seen waiting at Lassipora. The mismanagement has created traffic jams and inconvenience for the public. To make matters worse, some units shut down for three days a week. This is unacceptable, and authorities must intervene immediately.”

Meanwhile, cold storage owners said the existing infrastructure is far below the valley’s actual requirement. “Kashmir produces 22–25 lakh metric tonnes of apples annually. But all 70 cold storage units in Shopian and Pulwama combined have a capacity of only 3 lakh tonnes. People expect us to accommodate everything, which is simply impossible,” they said.

They added that an unusual rush this year has worsened the problem. “Normally, produce arrives gradually over two months, but this time bulk quantities came all at once due to highway closures and poor demand outside. Over 50% capacity was filled within just a few days. We are trying our best to accommodate more growers, but we too have limitations,” a cold store manager said.

Owners said that while cold storage units are meant for ‘A-grade’ apples, many growers are now bringing ‘B-grade’ produce due to weak markets, further adding pressure. “We appeal to growers to cooperate. Every possible effort is being made to maximise capacity use, but unrealistic expectations will only deepen the crisis.”

As Kashmir’s apple season progresses, growers and traders remain caught between poor market demand, high freight costs, and insufficient storage facilities. Unless immediate measures are taken, experts warn, the valley’s fruit economy could face long-term damage.