Kashmir’s Apple Cold Wars: A Story of Resilience and Hope
The demand for Kashmiri apples is on the rise as fruit stored in Controlled Atmosphere (CA) units begins to hit the markets, bringing relief to growers who faced a challenging main season with low prices and weak demand.
Officials from the horticulture and CA storage sector have shared that currently, only the corridor spaces of CA units have been opened for apple storage.
In these corridors, apples are stored under basic arrangements with fans to circulate air and maintain a minimum temperature, while the main CA chambers with advanced controlled conditions are yet to be opened.
It is expected that the main chambers will be opened in the first week of January, leading to a further increase in apple supply in the market. The release of produce will be done in a phased manner to prevent market glut.
Many growers chose to store their apples in CA corridors during the peak harvest season due to poor demand and low prices, opting to wait for better market conditions. This decision is now paying off, with apple prices improving significantly.
Currently, a 15-kg box of apples is fetching around Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,300, providing growers with much-needed relief. However, the sustainability of these prices will depend on the systematic release of apples from storage units in the coming weeks.
Growers are optimistic about the future, hoping that demand will remain steady and they will be able to recover some of the losses incurred during the main season. Market management and external demand will play a crucial role in determining the success of the apple season.
