South Kashmir Apple Output Nears 9.5 Lakh MT as CA Storage Reaches 2.57 Lakh MT  | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: South Kashmir’s apple economy has received a major infrastructure boost with 55 Controlled Atmosphere storage facilities established across the region, creating a cumulative storage capacity of 2.57 lakh metric tonnes against an average annual apple production of 9.49 lakh metric tonnes.

The government informed that the CA storage facilities have been set up primarily in Aglar in Shopian and Lassipora in Pulwama Industrial Estates, along with one CA store in Anantnag district. The installations are aimed at scientific storage, reduction of post-harvest losses and enabling growers to stagger market arrivals for better price realisation.

Officials stated that the estimated requirement of CA storage capacity for South Kashmir stands at 2.85 lakh metric tonnes, based on average annual apple production of 9.49 lakh metric tonnes. With 2.57 lakh metric tonnes capacity already in place, a substantial portion of the required infrastructure has been achieved.

The CA facilities are expected to help regulate supply during peak harvest season, stabilise prices and enhance returns to growers, particularly in the apple-dominant districts of Shopian, Pulwama and Anantnag.

While major progress has been recorded in other districts, no application for establishment of a CA storage facility has so far been received from Kulgam district.

Officials noted that 35 kanals of freehold land at Chakihanjan, Checkpora in Kulgam, had earlier housed an integrated apple pack house and a conventional cold store established by the Jammu and Kashmir Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation in 1982. The facility was extensively damaged in the early 1990s, and the site was subsequently taken over by Defence Forces. The land continues to remain in Defence possession.

To strengthen marketing support in Kulgam, the department has established one Apni Mandi at Nunmai on land measuring 25 kanals and two marlas. The Mandi is scheduled to be made functional during the coming fruit season.

Officials said the combination of expanded CA storage capacity and local marketing infrastructure is expected to improve post-harvest management, minimise distress sales and enhance value realisation for apple growers across South Kashmir.

The region remains one of the principal apple belts of Jammu and Kashmir, and the near-completion of required CA storage capacity marks a significant step in aligning production volumes with modern storage and market systems.