‘Diversify CA storage across Kashmir to benefit fruit growers’

Srinagar, Nov 14: Fruit industry leaders in Kashmir are raising alarm over the rapid and concentrated growth of Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storage facilities in South Kashmir, which they say is flooding the market and driving down fruit prices.

Orchardists and traders are demanding the diversification of CA stores to other parts of Kashmir to prevent oversaturation in two districts of South Kashmir.

Stakeholders are urging authorities to prioritise establishing CA facilities in North and Central Kashmir to address regional imbalances and stabilise the market.

South Kashmir’s fruit-growing areas, particularly in Lassipora’s Industrial Growth Centre, are now home to 86 CA storage units. At the same time, regions like Sopore and Baramulla in North Kashmir, known for their extensive fruit production, have limited storage infrastructure.

President, J&K Fruits and Vegetables Processing & Integrated Cold Chain Association (JKPICCA), Bashir Naikoo said: " We are urging the government to carry Techno-Commercial Feasibility of CA stores in various districts of J&K. Currently 90 percent of CA stores are in only two districts of South Kashmir and there is need to have these facilities in other districts of the Kashmir province."

Ashiq Hussain Shangloo, Vice President, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) who is also a member of JKPICCA. “South Kashmir’s CA capacity far surpasses the storage needs of its own produce, creating a supply surplus that destabilizes prices and hits farmer income hard.”

According to data from the Department of Horticulture, South Kashmir produces approximately 9,49,104 metric tons (MT) of fruit annually, but only around 40% of this — about 3,79,643 MT — qualifies as Grade A, which is the quality that benefits most from CA storage. Yet, CA capacity in South Kashmir currently stands at a hefty 2,36,000 MT, with plans for an additional 84 units bringing it to an estimated 6,56,000 MT.

"This excess capacity is creating a “flood” of stored produce that impacts fruit prices and hurts local farmers, who reportedly suffered losses between Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500 crore last year alone."

In contrast, North and Central Kashmir produce around 10,60,202 MT of fruit annually, of which nearly 5,30,101 MT meets the Grade A standard. Here, storage infrastructure is far from adequate, with only 34,160 MT of CA storage available, which, even with new projects planned, only reaches 1,35,000 MT — far below regional requirements.

The lack of storage options for North Kashmir’s farmers means they cannot sell their produce immediately, often at low prices due to the oversupply from South Kashmir’s stored stock.

During a recent meeting between KCCI representatives and the Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir, the imbalance in storage infrastructure was discussed, and the Department of Horticulture subsequently acknowledged the need for rebalancing.

In a recent official communication, the department stated that “the concentration of CA stores in South Kashmir has exceeded regional requirements,” affirming the importance of directing future storage projects toward North Kashmir to correct this imbalance. “We need a fair distribution to ensure sustainability,” the department’s representative noted.

JKPICCA and KCCI argue that this pattern of CA store allotments, which doesn’t align with the techno-commercial feasibility assessments, risks damaging Kashmir’s fruit industry in the long term. “By creating excess capacity in one region, we’re making storage unviable and upsetting the market. This unchecked growth could damage the sector’s sustainability and harm farmer incomes,” said a spokesperson from JKPICCA.

In response to these developments, both KCCI and JKPICCA are urging the government to review current allotments in South Kashmir.

With a balanced approach to CA storage, stakeholders believe that all regions of Kashmir can benefit from stabilised markets, fair pricing, and sustainable growth. Redirecting storage development to underserved areas would not only uplift farmers but strengthen Kashmir’s entire horticulture sector.