Mubashir Aalam Wani
Srinagar, Mar 20: With Ramadhan in progress, demand for Kashmiri apples has soared across India.
Since the beginning of Ramadhan, growers have started shipping apples, which were stored in cold storages, to the rest of India.
As per the growers the apples currently have a good demand across India as the holy month of Ramadan is in progress.
“CA stored apples have a good demand right now. Right now Kashmiri apples are being shipped to the leading fruit markets of India. We still have a huge quantity of apple still stored in cold chain facilities ready to be shipped to the various markets of India,” President North Kashmir Fruit Growers and Dealers Association, Fayaz Ahmad Malik, said.
With Ramadhan being a time of increased consumption of fruits and other nutritious foods, Kashmiri apples have become a staple on iftar tables in many households.
According to reports, the demand for Kashmiri apples has soared in major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru.
Apple growers said the rate of apples ranges between Rs 1500-1600 in various fruit markets in India.
“CA-stored apples get a good price since they become available in various cities of India during the off-season. Right now an apple box costs from Rs 1500-1600,” Malik said.
Apple growers said Ramadhan often proves to be a lucrative season for Kashmiri apples given its demand in various cities of India.
“During the current season, only Kashmiri apples become available in the markets of India. So, growers ship a bulk quantity of apples to various fruit markets. The CA-stored apples will hit markets for the next three months,” said Shabir Ahmad Khan, an apple grower who too has preferred to ship his CA stored apple to New Delhi’s Azadpur fruit Mandi during Ramadhan.
CA stores have come as a shot in the arm for apple growers of Kashmir, who get good returns of the crop during the off-season.
As per the apple growers all the CA stores were occupied at full capacity as the rates of apples this season have been comparatively better.
