Soaring freight costs threaten Kashmir’s fruit trade

Srinagar, Sep 29: Fruit growers across Kashmir are facing unprecedented challenges as soaring freight costs and severe transport shortages disrupt the movement of apples and other produce during the peak harvest season.

The prolonged road closure connecting the Valley to major markets has created bottlenecks, leaving mandis overflowing and growers struggling to manage fresh harvests.

“All major fruit mandis in the Valley are packed with produce, but trucks are unavailable to carry consignments outside the region. Even those that reached Delhi and other markets have not returned, causing a severe shortage of transport,” said Fayaz Ahmad Malik, president of the Fruit Growers Association, Sopore Mandi.

Freight rates have surged dramatically due to the shortage of vehicles, with truck drivers now charging Rs 270–300 per box, up from the usual Rs 70–100, Malik said. He added that fresh apples are falling from trees as growers cannot transport them quickly, creating fears of significant losses. “Parcel trains provided by the government are helpful but insufficient to meet the demand,” he said.

Bashir Ahmad Basheer, president of the New Kashmir Fruit Association, Parimpora, emphasised the particular vulnerability of Sopore’s American apple variety, exported to West Bengal and Nepal. “This variety is unique to Sopore, and the prolonged delay puts the entire stock at risk of rotting,” he said, describing the current situation as “a critical challenge for the valley’s economy.”

Truck drivers explained the increased freight costs, citing longer travel times and higher operational expenses. “Earlier, it took two days to reach the destination. Now, it takes five to six days, making transport significantly more expensive,” said a driver from North Kashmir.

Growers are also struggling with the logistics of the harvest itself, as large quantities of fruit remain unattended at collection points. “We are advising farmers to delay sending their produce to mandis, but apples continue to fall during the peak season, worsening the situation,” Malik added.

With the harvest in full swing, traders and growers are urging authorities to implement alternative transport solutions, streamline logistics, and provide additional support to prevent large-scale losses. Experts warn that if measures are not taken promptly, the disruption could have long-term economic consequences for Kashmir’s fruit industry, which remains a key source of income and employment across the region.