Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Sep 26: Fruit growers across Kashmir are expressing deep concern over the sudden decline in apple prices in Indian markets.
The growers from various regions said that this year’s production is lower due to damage from hailstorms, which has added to their losses. Initially, there was strong demand for apples, but in the past week, prices have dropped significantly, exacerbating their challenges, they lamented.
Farooq Ahmad Bhat, a grower from Shopian, said that while demand was robust at the beginning of the season, it has since dwindled, resulting in a market downturn of about 30 percent. “Growers are facing losses as the costs of labour, transportation and packaging materials are skyrocketing, yet prices have plummeted,” he said. “Many are not even recovering their expenses from this year’s crop.”
Growers said that the early import of apples from Afghanistan has further diminished the demand for Kashmiri apples. Although the area under horticulture continues to expand and production is increasing, the market for local apples remains weak, they said.
Despite a decrease in traditional apple production this year, growers are frustrated by low demand, largely attributed to the early arrival of imports from Afghanistan. “The costs of fertilisers, pesticides, labour and transportation are now higher than the returns we receive, despite dedicating a full year to our orchards,” they added.
Basheer Ahmad Basheer, president of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers and Dealers Union, an elected body representing all fruit growers in the valley, said that the market has decreased by almost 30 percent, leaving growers anxious about their future. He said that early imports from Afghanistan, typically starting in late October or November, are a major factor in this downturn.
The fruit drop has also led many growers to harvest apples in bulk, flooding the market and further driving down prices. “There is an urgent need for a ban on apple imports from Afghanistan, Iran and other countries to protect local growers and traders from further financial strain,” Basheer said.
