Srinagar, Now 14: The prices of Kashmiri apple have again slashed in the national market owing to the heavy flow of Iranian apple to Indian markets leaving the valley fruit growers in apprehension.
Bashir Ahmad Basheer, Chairman of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union, who is also president of The New Kashmir Fruit Association said this year’s drought and untimely heavy hailstorm, strong winds damaged fruit orchards in valley with the result apple crop had turned in shape of Grade 2 & Grade 3 only to the extent of 40% of total crop.
“The Valley Based Fruit Growers are apprehensive of heavy losses of their apple crop. On the other hand, heavy flow of Iranian apple in the name of Afghanistan via Wagah Border in the Indian Markets has again started bothering Valley Fruit Growers who are already having apprehensions of heavy losses,” he said.
Bashir said the valley based fruit growers were hopeful that on the occasion of the sacred festivals in the various markets of the Country, their losses would be redressed and their apples would be fully compensated.
“But their hopes have dashed at this time because of the arrival of Iranian apples in the name of Afghanistan in various markets of the Country,” he said.
Bashir said owing to the heavy flow of Iranian apple in the name of Afghanistan in various markets of the Country have brought down the rates of Grade ‘A’ Kashmiri apple by more than Rs 600 per box.
“Only two weeks ago, the Kashmiri apple box would sell at Rs 1000 to Rs 1300 in various fruit markets of India but now the same is being sold at Rs 800 per box. The Valley Based Fruit Growers are, therefore, extremely worried of the situation,” he said.
Notably, India is one of the world’s largest producers of Apple and about 80% of rural populations of J&K (UT) are directly or indirectly dependent on this Sector.
“The valley’s horticulture industry is a lifeline for the economy of J&K. The arrival of Iranian Apple has put the Fruit Industry of J&K, Himachal and Uttrakhand in a very precarious situation pushing the small and marginal fruit growers into mental agony,” he said.
Bashir also said the flow of Iranian Apple and sale thereof is not only disastrous for small and marginal growers of Kashmir, Himachal and Uttrakhand but also results in huge losses to State Exchequer as well.
Bashir said they had repeatedly requested since the year 2020-21 for imposition of ban or alternatively imposition of 100 percent excise duty on arrival of Iranian Apple in the Indian markets so that the Apple growers of Valley, Himachal and Uttrakhand may not face hardships on sale of their produce.
The fruit growers union has also written to Delhi Chief Minister, Arvind Kejriwal, requesting a ban on the illegal entry of the Iranian apple in Indian markets.
“Under the circumstances explained above the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union, an elected Apex Body of all Fruit Growers Associations of the Valley appeal your good self to kindly consider imposition of ban or alternatively imposition of 100 percent excise duty on arrival of Iranian Apple in the Indian Markets so that the Fruit Growers of Valley, Himachal and Uttrakhand will feel a sigh of relief,” the union said.
Bashir also said the untimely heavy rains and hailstorm in May and June affected the horticulture industry of J&K and caused enough damage in the fruit orchards.
“This year there is a 40 percent decline in apple production in the valley. North Kashmir, which also produces a sizable quantity, has been badly affected this year,” he said.
Bashir said last year they would get some 300 apple trucks in a day in the Fruit Mandi Parimpora and this year they only get some 150 trucks.
On the other side, apple growers said they are often encouraged to put their produce in the cold storage facilities to get better prices in the markets but it takes them much.
“We keep the produce in cold stores with an aim to get better rates. We pay transportation charges, cold storage charges, and illegal import of apples in Indian markets is another worry and it is affecting the apple market and industry,” said Bashir Ahmad, a farmer from Budgam.
