Apple trade related crisis

The apple trade in Kashmir is presently facing crisis due to low prices, and low demand of the fruit produced here, in the markets outside Jammu and Kashmir. Reports say the flooding of foreign countries’ apples into the India markets has triggered the crisis. An estimated 20 per cent of the total apple production is said to be unsold in Controlled Atmosphere (CA) stores. The apple growers and traders are facing losses. The scene was opposite last year to some extent. At that time the apples stored in CA stores were sold at higher rates. This had also led to increase in the prices of the fresh apple crop in the autumn last year amid lesser apple production in some areas. But, right now the low price and low demand of the CA stored apples is resulting into losses. This negative trend can further affect the prices of the fresh apple production in autumn this year. The farmers and traders in Kashmir attribute the present low price and low demand to the arrival, in huge quantity, of the apple from foreign countries particularly Iran, US, and South Africa. They have been demanding imposing of import duty on the apples being imported from the foreign countries. According to them, only that way the price and demand of Kashmiri apple can go up. Otherwise, they say, they will continue to suffer losses. The traders said that they have brought the issue into the notice of local authorities and central government officials a number of times in the past. Some steps were taken but those proved ineffective and insufficient. They demand concrete steps that can bring a significant change. The traders are now hoping that something good will be in store for them in the budget to be presented in the parliament this month. The concerned authorities must look into the grievances of the apple growers and traders and redress those. Apple sector is the backbone of Kashmir economy. Every effort has to be made to strengthen it. The measures weakening it, must be prevented. The apple production and trade already faces lot of challenges - be those weather related or man made. Keeping this sector alive and flourishing is very important. Any negative move can have negative consequences for this vital sector. This has to be avoided at all costs for the better interests of the apple growers and traders besides the economy of Jammu and Kashmir.