Kashmir apple growers hit by price slump

Shopian, Apr 19: Abdul Rehman, an apple cultivator from south Kashmir’s Shopian district, had pinned his hopes on time. Storing his produce in controlled atmosphere (CA) facilities last October, he waited for spring, expecting firmer demand and better prices in April. Instead, a downturn in wholesale markets outside Jammu and Kashmir has left him staring at losses.

“If the present trend continues, we won’t be able to recoup the input costs,” Rehman says, reflecting a growing anxiety among orchardists across the Valley.

Apple cartons weighing 9 to 10 kilograms are currently selling between Rs 700 and Rs 1000, a sharp drop from Rs 1000 to Rs 1400 just a few weeks ago. The decline comes at a time when an estimated 25 to 30 percent of last season’s produce is still lying unsold in CA storages, adding to the pressure on growers.

For many, the strategy of delayed selling is now backfiring. Months of storage have added to costs, while the quality of fruit has begun to deteriorate.

Mohammad Ashraf Wani, president of the Fruit Mandi Shopian, says the extended storage period is beginning to show visible effects. “Due to prolonged storage, the fruit has lost some of its firmness and freshness,” he explains. “The rising temperatures outside Jammu and Kashmir are also taking a toll on the produce during transportation and marketing.”

Growers say the impact of this quality decline is not uniform. Those from lower-altitude areas are bearing the brunt.

Tariq Ahmad, an apple grower from Pulwama, says fruit from the plains is struggling in the market. “The fruit from plain areas like Pulwama has reduced quality now,” he says. “After months in storage, it doesn’t have the same appeal. Buyers are more selective, and rates drop quickly.”

He adds that apples from higher-altitude belts are faring relatively better. “Fruit from upper reaches is still fetching good prices because it retains quality for a longer time,” Ahmad says. “There is a clear difference now between produce from plains and that from higher areas.”

Other growers echo similar concerns, pointing to weak demand in outside markets as another factor behind the falling prices. Increased arrivals from other regions and changing consumption patterns have further dampened returns.

“We waited, thinking the market would improve with time,” says another grower from Shopian. “But now we are under pressure to sell before the quality drops further.”

With storage charges, transport costs and labour expenses already incurred, the current price levels leave little margin for profit. Many fear that if the trend continues, the season could end in financial strain for thousands of families dependent on apple cultivation.