Srinagar, Jun 26 (KNO): Kashmir's cherry season continues to remain profitable for fruit growers, with imported cherry varieties from Holland and Italy maintaining their dominance in the market by fetching premium prices.
Traders and growers said the strong demand for these cultivars has remained consistent over the past month and is expected to continue as more fruit reaches wholesale and retail markets.
While imported cultivars continue to command the highest prices, traditional Kashmiri cherry varieties are also receiving encouraging rates, providing relief to growers who were worried about weather-related losses earlier in the season.
Fruit growers said the imported varieties have carved a niche for themselves because of their larger size, attractive appearance, better shelf life and comparatively higher resistance to light rainfall, making them highly preferred by buyers.
A fruit grower from Shopian, Mohammad Yousuf Bhat, said the market has remained favourable throughout the season.
"Imported varieties from Holland and Italy are fetching excellent prices. Demand has remained strong for nearly a month, and traders expect the rates to stay firm as the season progresses. Traditional cherries are also selling at satisfactory prices, which is encouraging for growers," Bhat told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).
He said the staggered harvesting pattern of imported cultivars allows growers to market their produce over a longer period instead of flooding the market within a few days.
Irfan Ahmad, a trader from the Fruit Mandi Shopian, said buyers continue to prefer imported cultivars because of their superior quality and appearance.
"Imported cherries are still leading the market in terms of prices. Their quality, firmness and shelf life make them highly attractive to buyers. Traditional varieties are also witnessing good demand and growers are getting remunerative returns. Overall, the market has remained positive," he said.
Growers said that despite weather-related challenges during flowering and occasional rainfall, market prices have compensated for the lower production in several areas.
President of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers and Dealers Union, Basheer Ahmad Basheer, said both imported and traditional varieties are giving farmers hope of a profitable season.
"Imported cultivars continue to fetch premium prices and traditional varieties are also receiving encouraging rates. Good market demand has helped offset some of the production losses caused by adverse weather. If demand remains steady, growers can expect satisfactory returns this season despite low production," he said.
Besides cherries, plum growers are also celebrating a rewarding season as prices have remained attractive across major fruit markets.
Grower Abdul Rashid from Pulwama said plum cultivation has also turned profitable this year. "Plums are fetching very good prices, and farmers are happy with the returns. Demand has remained steady, and the quality of the fruit is also good, making this one of the better seasons for plum growers," he said.
Traders believe that continued consumer demand, coupled with staggered arrivals of different fruit varieties, will keep the markets stable in the coming weeks.
Jammu and Kashmir is India's leading cherry-producing region, with thousands of farming families depending on the crop for their livelihood. The introduction of imported cultivars has significantly extended the harvesting season, generated additional employment in picking, grading and packing, and provided growers with better marketing opportunities while traditional cherry varieties continue to remain the backbone of the Valley's fruit production.
Before the arrival of imported cherry cultivars in Kashmir, traditional varieties dominated the markets and orchardists often faced price fluctuations due to the short harvesting window. However, the introduction of premium cultivars from Holland and Italy has transformed the marketing season by extending harvest duration and ensuring better returns for growers.
This year too, imported cherries continue to command higher prices, while traditional varieties are also fetching encouraging rates. Alongside cherries, plum growers are witnessing strong demand and remunerative prices, bringing cheer to fruit farmers across the Valley—(KNO)