Bitter Harvest: Kashmir Apple Growers Trapped by Market Slump

Shopian, June 25: Kashmir's apple industry is facing a crisis as market prices crash, leaving hundreds of traders and growers in a financial bind. The situation is particularly dire for those who stored their produce in Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storages, hoping for better returns.

Currently, an estimated four lakh apple crates are lying in various CA storage facilities across south Kashmir. These apples, stored during November and December, were meant to be sold later at higher prices. However, the market has taken an unexpected turn, dashing the hopes of cultivators and traders alike.

The significant drop in apple prices at outstation mandis (wholesale markets) is resulting in substantial losses for those who invested in CA storage. This advanced storage technology, designed to extend the shelf life of apples, has inadvertently become a source of financial strain for many in the industry.

The affected farmers are attributing the falling prices to a glut of apples from foreign countries like Washington and Iran.

President Fruit Mandi Shopian, Mohammad Amin Pir said that the apple industry had incurred losses amounting to hundreds of crores.

According to Pir, the imports from several countries have led to significant price drops.

He said that the plummeting prices had plunged both the cultivators and traders into deep debt and financial distress.

Mohammad Ashraf, a prominent apple grower and trader said that the growers were unable to even recoup the CA storage charge.

"An apple crate is sold between Rs 1000 to Rs 1100 and a grower has to pay Rs 500 to 600 as CA storage charges," said Ashraf.

He said that after accounting for this deduction, an apple crate is sold between Rs 500 to Rs 600.

Many traders said that during the harvesting season, they bought an apple crate weighing 17 kgs between Rs 1000 to Rs 1100.

" Now we are selling them for a song," they said.

Pir Shabir, president Pesticide Association Shopian and a well-heeled apple grower said that the farmers were always opposed to importing the apples from Iran and other countries as such imports were bound to impact the domestic produce.

He demanded a 100 per cent duty on such imports and the introduction of a market intervention scheme.