Pulwama : The apple orchards of South Kashmir’s Shopian district are buzzing with optimism as this year’s apple harvest sees a surge in demand for a variety of apple types.
Mushtaq Ahmad, a skilled farmer from Pahnoo village, is emblematic of the newfound hope that has swept through the region.
Despite facing a moderate crop, Mushtaq and his labourers are reaping the rewards of their Kullu apple orchard. The reason behind this optimism is the excellent demand for a wide range of apple varieties.
“Super varieties like Gala, Scarlet, and Jerome fetched excellent returns for growers,” he said, adding that traditional varieties like Kullu and Delicious too enjoy good market demand these days.
This resurgence has breathed fresh life into the apple farming community, which faced a distressing year in the past.
Mushtaq explained that several factors have contributed to this high demand.
“First and foremost, the overall apple production is notably lower this year, down by 40 to 50 percent. The apple industry in Himachal Pradesh faced significant damage due to rainfall and floods, reducing their output, “ he said.
Furthermore, Mushtaq praised the local administration’s role in ensuring the smooth movement of fruit-laden trucks on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.
He said that during previous years, halting these trucks would lead to an oversupply of apples, causing demand to dwindle.
Mushtaq himself anticipates harvesting around 2,500 boxes of apples from his orchard this season, a substantial decrease from the 5,000 boxes of the past year.
However, his hopes are buoyed by the robust market demand, and he remains confident of reaping more substantial returns this year, despite a 50 percent reduction in his crop.
Adding to the positive sentiment is Showket Ahmad, a young apple trader at Fruit Mandi Pricho in Pulwama.
He revealed that over 100 truckloads of apples are dispatched to various markets across the country every day.
“In contrast to past when apple-laden trucks faced numerous challenges on the national highway, this year they are receiving support from the horticulture department, ensuring their smooth passage,” he said.
He revealed that in terms of prices, Kullu apples are selling for a range of ₹1,000 to ₹1,200 per box, while Delicious apples fetch ₹750 to ₹1,000 per box, making it a profitable season for growers and traders alike.
