Kashmir’s strawberry harvest shrinks by 25%

Abid Bashir
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09 May 2026

Reason: untimely rain, prolonged chill Farmers count heavy losses

Srinagar, May 08: Kashmir’s famed strawberry growers are staring at a difficult season this year as production has dropped by 25 per cent following untimely rains coupled with chill, leaving hundreds of farming families worried about mounting losses and declining returns.

After a “good harvest” in 2025, when strawberry production across Kashmir was estimated between 2,500 and 3,500 metric tonnes, growers say the 2026 season has turned disappointing, with output falling by nearly 25 per cent due to untimely rainfall and an extended cold spell during March and April.

The Valley’s strawberry belt — spread across parts of Srinagar, Budgam, Ganderbal and Anantnag districts — is witnessing thinner harvests this season even as demand in markets remains high.

Chairman of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers-cum-Dealers Association, Bashir Ahmad Basheer, said weather disruptions badly affected flowering and fruit development.

“This year, strawberry production has declined by around 25 per cent compared to last year. Untimely rainfall and persistent chill during March and April damaged the crop at a crucial stage,” Basheer said.

He said many farmers were expecting another bumper season after last year’s encouraging harvest, but repeated wet spells reduced both the quantity and quality of fruit.

“Strawberry is an extremely delicate crop with a very short shelf life. Farmers already operate under pressure because the fruit has to be sold quickly. When production falls, and quality is affected, the losses become severe,” said.

In the strawberry fields of Khimber on the outskirts of Srinagar, growers said the season that once brought quick profits is now becoming increasingly uncertain due to changing weather patterns.

Rows of red berries still attract visitors and buyers, but farmers say the volume is much lower than expected.

A grower from Khimber, Ghulam Mohammad Dar, said the cold conditions delayed ripening and damaged a significant portion of the crop.

“The plants remained weak this year because of the prolonged chill. Rainfall during flowering affected pollination and many berries either rotted or failed to grow properly,” he said while sorting freshly picked fruit into small boxes.

Dar said growers are currently selling one-kilogram boxes for around Rs 200, but the earnings barely cover transportation, labour and cultivation costs.

“People think strawberries bring huge profits because the fruit looks expensive in markets, but the reality is very different. We cannot store the fruit for long. If buyers do not come on time, the produce gets spoiled within hours,” he said.

Another farmer from Budgam, Abdul Rashid Sheikh, said many growers suffered losses because they had invested heavily in fertilisers, mulching sheets and irrigation before the season began.

“We were hoping for a good crop after last year, but nature did not support us. Continuous moisture damaged the fruit and reduced its sweetness. Traders also pay less when quality declines,” Sheikh said.

Farmers said the lack of cold storage facilities and organised transportation continues to add to their problems. Many growers are forced to sell produce immediately at whatever price they receive because strawberries cannot survive long journeys without proper refrigeration.

Several growers also expressed concern over increasing climate uncertainty, saying unusual weather patterns are becoming more frequent in Kashmir.

“Earlier, the season used to remain stable. Now, sudden rain or unexpected cold can destroy months of hard work,” said a young farmer from Anantnag district.

Despite the setback, farmers said strawberry cultivation still remains an important source of income for hundreds of families during the spring season, especially because the crop reaches markets earlier than most fruits.

The Valley’s strawberries are widely appreciated for their taste, colour and aroma, and are supplied to local markets as well as parts of Jammu and outside states in limited quantities.

Growers, however, said without better storage facilities, transport support and weather-related assistance, many small farmers may gradually move away from strawberry cultivation.

“We need government support for cold chain infrastructure and crop protection,” Basheer said. “Otherwise, farmers will continue to suffer losses whenever weather turns unfavourable.”

As the season progresses, growers across Kashmir now hope for stable weather in the coming weeks so that at least the remaining crop can be saved from further damage.