Jahangeer Ganaie
Srinagar, Jul 3: After revolutionizing the apple industry, the cold storage units are now proving to be a game-changer for cherry and plum growers in Kashmir. These highly perishable fruits, which were earlier sold locally within a limited timeframe, are now finding buyers across India with the help of improved storage facilities.
The farmers across Kashmir said that traditionally, cherries and plums have a very short shelf life, often resulting in distress sales and substantial post-harvest losses, however, with the growing network of cold storage facilities across the Valley, farmers are now storing their harvests for extended periods and accessing far-flung markets such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata.
“Earlier, we had to sell our cherries within a few days, often at very low prices. But this year, with the help of cold storage units, we were able to keep the fruit fresh for a longer time and gradually send them to different markets across the country,” said Bashir Ahmad, a cherry grower from Shopian. “A large part of our produce has already been sold, while a small pending part is still safely stored,” he added.
Another plum grower, Mohammad Rafiq from Pulwama, shared a similar experience. “This is for the first time I stored my plums in a cold storage unit, and the results are very encouraging. We are getting better prices and less wastage,” he said.
According to officials from the Horticulture Department, the expansion of cold chain infrastructure is critical for perishable fruits. “Cherries and plums have a very short shelf life–around 2 to 5 days without refrigeration. With cold storage, the life extends significantly, allowing better price realization and less wastage,” said a senior officer in the department.
Fruit dealers and exporters also say the move is transforming the market dynamics. “Cold storage has allowed us to meet the demand in far-off cities. The quality of cherries from Kashmir is unmatched and now we can ensure that freshness is retained even when they reach distant customers,” said Riyaz Dar, a fruit trader based in Srinagar.
The Horticulture Planning and Marketing Department is already working on expanding cold storage infrastructure under various centrally sponsored schemes.
Experts believe that with the right support, Kashmir cannot only dominate the apple market but also become a leading supplier of cherries and plums across India.
Meanwhile, the stakeholders are hopeful that Kashmir’s perishable fruit sector will witness a robust and sustainable growth trajectory in the coming years.
