Image Source : Deccan Herald
A sudden closure of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway has triggered a severe economic blow to Kashmir’s apple growers, with prices crashing by nearly 40 percent in just one week. The disruption, caused by landslides and heavy rainfall, has halted the movement of trucks carrying fresh produce to key markets across North India, leaving thousands of tonnes of apples stranded in cold storage and orchards.
The timing couldn’t be worse. September marks the peak of the apple harvesting season in Kashmir, which contributes over 70 percent of India’s total apple production. With limited shelf life and mounting transportation costs, growers are now facing distress sales, financial losses, and fears of long-term market erosion.
Key Highlights From The Ground
• Apple prices in Kashmir have dropped by 35 to 40 percent in major mandis
• Srinagar-Jammu highway closure has disrupted supply chains for over 10 days
• Over 25,000 trucks carrying apples are stuck or rerouted, increasing transit costs
• Cold storage units are operating at full capacity, risking spoilage and quality degradation
• Growers demand urgent intervention from state and central authorities
Impact On Growers And Local Economy
The price crash has hit small and medium-scale orchard owners hardest. In Sopore, Shopian, and Pulwama—regions known for premium apple varieties—farmers report that prices for Grade A apples have fallen from Rs 1200 per crate to Rs 700 or less. Lower-grade apples are being sold at throwaway rates of Rs 300 to Rs 400 per crate, barely covering harvesting and packaging costs.
Many growers had taken loans for fertilizers, labor, and packaging materials, expecting stable returns during the festive season. With the highway closure disrupting their plans, repayment schedules are now in jeopardy, and local banks are bracing for a spike in defaults.
Cold Storage Bottlenecks And Quality Concerns
Kashmir has around 1.5 lakh metric tonnes of cold storage capacity, but the sudden glut has overwhelmed facilities. Apples stored beyond optimal timelines risk losing texture, taste, and market value. Growers are now forced to sell prematurely or discard damaged produce.
The lack of alternative transport routes has compounded the crisis. Air freight remains prohibitively expensive, and the Mughal Road, a secondary route, is unsuitable for heavy cargo due to terrain and weather conditions.
Mandis In North India Feel The Ripple
Wholesale markets in Delhi, Chandigarh, and Ludhiana have reported erratic supply and price fluctuations. Traders say that while prices have dropped in Kashmir, retail prices in cities remain high due to limited arrivals and increased logistics costs. This mismatch is hurting both growers and consumers.
Some traders are turning to Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand for apple procurement, raising concerns that Kashmir’s market share could shrink if disruptions persist.
Government Response And Grower Demands
The Jammu and Kashmir Horticulture Department has acknowledged the crisis and initiated talks with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to expedite road clearance. Relief measures under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) are being considered, including minimum support prices and transport subsidies.
Growers are demanding:
• Immediate restoration of highway connectivity
• Waiver or deferment of agricultural loan repayments
• Subsidized air freight for perishable produce
• Expansion of cold storage infrastructure and mobile procurement units
Looking Ahead
The apple crisis in Kashmir is a stark reminder of how fragile agricultural supply chains remain in the face of infrastructure bottlenecks. With the region’s economy heavily reliant on horticulture, swift action is needed to prevent long-term damage to farmer livelihoods and market confidence.
As the highway reopens in phases, growers hope for price recovery and logistical support. But the scars of this disruption may linger, prompting calls for structural reforms in transport, storage, and crop insurance.
Sources: Greater Kashmir, Hindustan Times, Tribune India, ANI.
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