Pulwama, Feb 28: The demand for Kashmiri apples stored in Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storage facilities at various locations has surged in the market, bringing decent benefits to growers and others associated with the trade.
Both growers and CA store owners at the Lassipora Industrial Growth Centre report a strong demand for stored apples, allowing them to earn good returns from sales.
“We have been supplying stored apples to the market since December 2024,” said Jahangir Ahmad Mir, an apple dealer from Reshipora village of Shopian district.
He mentioned that CA store chambers were opened two months earlier this season due to high demand.
“The demand is so high that growers are receiving a satisfying rate,” he said, adding that more than 50% of the stored apples have already been supplied to the market.
Mohammad Akbar Mir, a grower from Shopian, said that the price for stored apples has remained high since the beginning of the season.
“A box of Delicious apples containing 90 pieces sells for ₹1,700 to ₹1,750,” he said, adding that the same quantity of Kullu apples fetches ₹1,800 to ₹1,850.
He further added that a box containing 50 apples sells for up to ₹1,250.
Ishfaq Ahmad, General Secretary of the Jammu and Kashmir Fruits and Vegetables Processing and Integrated Cold Chain Association (JKPICCA), told Rising Kashmir that this season’s apple rates are fairly good.
“Both CA store owners and growers are benefiting from the strong demand,” he said, explaining that last year’s low demand resulted in a slow supply of stored apples from CA stores.
“Last year, it took around nine months to supply all the stored apples to the market,” he said.
Ahmad explained that the establishment of CA stores has enabled farmers to regulate the supply of apples into the market.
“Earlier, farmers used to supply apples in bulk, which reduced demand and affected prices,” he said, “Now, they have the option to store a significant portion of their apple produce in CA stores.”
He added that the stored apples are sold when demand for them rises.
The Industrial Growth Centre (IGC) at Lassipora currently has around 63 operational CA stores.
