Pulwama: The lush apple orchards of South Kashmir are once again brimming with optimism as this season’s apple harvest brings renewed hope to farmers.
After the challenging year of 2023, marked by low returns and market difficulties, the 2024 harvest has rekindled hope, driven by fair market demand for both traditional and premium apple varieties.
Mohammad Saleem, an orchardist from Pulwama, noted that high-density premium varieties have fetched good returns for farmers. This year, farmers across different areas of South Kashmir are harvesting the Kullu variety of apples, which has seen strong demand.
Mohammad Ashraf, a seasoned apple grower from Shopian district, shares the optimism felt by many in the region. Though his orchard is yet to be harvested, Ashraf, like countless others in the apple-rich districts of South Kashmir, is buoyed by the strong demand for apples in both domestic and national markets.
In the village of Wahibugh in Pulwama, Ghulam Hassan and his workers are busy plucking Kullu apples. Despite a harvest that is 50 percent lower than last year’s output, Hassan remains upbeat.
“The market demand has been fairly good this year. Premium varieties like Gala, Scarlet, and Jerome have fetched solid returns,” he shared, adding that the traditional Kullu variety is also in demand.
This resurgence in the apple farming community is a stark contrast to the struggles faced in recent years, including the difficult 2023 season, which many growers describe as one of the worst in three decades. Many apple growers and traders who stored their produce in controlled atmosphere (CA) chambers suffered significant losses due to low demand.
Hassan’s orchard is producing only a few hundred boxes of apples this season, compared to 500 boxes last year, but he remains confident. Favourable market conditions are allowing growers like him to expect better financial returns, despite the smaller crop.
“We are happy with the good demand for Kashmiri apples this season,” Ashraf said, adding that, in the national market, Himachal apple boxes sell at a higher rate due to weight and grading differences.
“Our apple boxes weigh only 16 to 17 kilograms, while a box of apples from Himachal Pradesh is around 25 kilograms,” Ashraf explained, noting that apples from Himachal Pradesh often have better colour and are graded more thoroughly.
Farmers across Pulwama also credited the high demand to the local administration’s efficient handling of logistics. Over the past couple of years, authorities have ensured the uninterrupted movement of fruit-laden trucks along the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.
“Previously, delays in transporting apples would lead to market oversupply, lowering prices. But for the last two years, the smooth transport has maintained a steady flow of apples to the markets, helping sustain demand,” the farmers said.
This renewed sense of optimism extends to traders and laborers working within the apple supply chain across South Kashmir.
Showket Ahmad, a young apple trader at the Fruit Mandi in the Pricho area of Pulwama district, has seen the excitement firsthand.
“Every day, many truckloads of apples are sent to different markets across the country. Unlike the past, when trucks would face numerous delays, for the past two years, we’ve had great support from the horticulture department, ensuring smooth passage,” Showket said.
With strong demand, market prices have also surged. According to Mohammad Ashraf, Kullu apples are currently selling for ₹800 to ₹1,200 per box, depending on quality.
These prices represent a significant recovery from the previous year when many growers were forced to sell their produce at 40 to 50 percent lower than usual due to the influx of cheaper Iranian apples into the Indian market.Kashmir’s apple industry is an essential pillar of the region’s economy, contributing about 9.5 percent to the State Gross Domestic Product (SGDP) and supporting half of Kashmir’s population, either directly or indirectly.
With an average annual production of over 20 lakh metric tonnes of apples—sometimes reaching up to 25 lakh metric tonnes—the sector plays a vital role in the livelihoods of thousands of families.According to estimates, the apple industry generates around 8.50 crore man-days of employment annually, making it a critical source of income for the region.
As Ghulam Hassan looks over his orchard, he feels a renewed sense of optimism. Despite the challenges of a reduced harvest and battling invasive pests, favorable market conditions have given him hope for a better financial outcome. “The apple season is not just about the harvest; it’s about the hope it brings to all of us,” he said.
BLURB…Farmers across Pulwama also credited the high demand to the local administration’s efficient handling of logistics. Over the past couple of years, authorities have ensured the uninterrupted movement of fruit-laden trucks along the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway.
