Kashmir Apple Growers See Promising Season As Demand Rises

(MENAFN- Kashmir Observer) Pulwama- Apple growers in Kashmir are seeing a surge in demand this season for produce stored in Controlled Atmosphere (CA) units, leading to improved earnings and early release of stock.

Traditionally, apples in storage begin reaching markets in mid-February, but this year's dispatches started as early as January, thanks to strong demand.

“We're getting good prices, which is encouraging early sales,” said Mehraj Ahmad, an orchardist from Shopian. He said 10-kg apple boxes are fetching Rs 1200, and premium 16-kg boxes are selling for Rs 1,500 or more, excluding storage charges.

In 2023, nearly 20% of stored apples remained unsold due to competition from imported varieties. This year, growers are hopeful, citing that 60% of cold storage chains have already been cleared.

Shahid Ahmad, a manager at a storage facility, highlighted the role of CA units in preventing distress sales.“Cold storages let us wait for the right market,” he said, as per news agency KNO.

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However, he stressed the need for better packaging and grading to compete globally.“Our taste is unmatched, but presentation matters,” he added.

Currently, Kashmir hosts about 50 CA units, mainly in SIDCO Lassipora. The valley produces over 20 lakh metric tonnes of apples annually, with 3 lakh metric tonnes stored each year.

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