JKPICCA expresses sympathy for growers, dismisses charges against CA stores

Srinagar, June 9: The Jammu & Kashmir Fruits & Vegetables Processing & Integrated Cold Chain Association (JKPICCA) has strongly condemned the vilification campaign launched against the cold storage industry, urging restraint and caution amid the ongoing crisis in the apple market.

In a strongly-worded statement, the JKPICCA expressed deep concern and sympathy for the apple-growing community and stakeholders affected by the crash in market prices this year. However, the association vehemently refuted allegations of unfair practices and high-handedness leveled against cold storage unit holders.

"The accusation that cardboard boxes provided by the unit holders are inferior quality and that it is mandatory for our customers to use them is outrightly rejected," the statement read. "The practice of providing cardboard boxes has been in vogue since 2008 and was based on non-availability of quality boxes earlier, and the service was only provided to assist in proper packing of the produce."

The JKPICCA clarified that it is not mandatory for growers to use the boxes provided by cold storage units and denied any claims of inferior quality.

Addressing allegations of compelling fruit growers to sell their produce at the lowest possible rates, the association termed such accusations as "preposterous and misconceived." It attributed the market crash to various external and internal factors, including adverse weather conditions, the use of spurious pesticides, lack of regulatory oversight, strategic planning in cold store infrastructure development, and unchecked proliferation of new units leading to oversupply.

"No unit holder can compel any customer to sell their produce at the lowest rates to the cold store units," the statement asserted.

The JKPICCA emphasized that its members are bound by ethical business practices and principles of fair trade, dismissing any accusations of deviation as defamatory and triggered by current market pressures on stakeholders.

While acknowledging the price volatility in the fresh produce business, the association condemned the unfair targeting of the cold storage industry through a smear campaign and urged stakeholders to exercise caution and restraint in their public statements.