Pulwama, May 08 (KNO): Despite a slight decline in market demand and a decrease of approximately Rs 200 per box in apple prices, growers in Kashmir are still experiencing profitable returns, thanks to the strong performance of Controlled Atmosphere (CA) cold storage facilities.
Growers, speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said this season has marked a positive shift for apple producers, as many began dispatching their stored produce as early as January, well before the usual mid-February period.
“Prices have come down a bit, but we are still making profits,” said Javed Ahmad, a grower from Shopian. “The early demand allowed us to sell at better prices before the prices dipped.”
Currently, standard 10-kg boxes of apples are selling for around Rs 1,100 to Rs 1,200, while premium 16-kg boxes fetch Rs 1,400 or more, excluding storage and transportation costs. Although this represents a Rs 200 per box decline from peak prices, growers say it is still better than last year’s situation.
In 2024, about 20% of apples stored in CA units remained unsold for over nine months, mainly due to stiff competition from imported apples. However, this year, optimism is high, with nearly 80% of cold storage inventories already sold at better prices.
“Cold storage has truly transformed our business,” said Mehraj Ahmad, manager of a CA unit in Lassipora. “Growers are no longer forced to sell at distress prices; they can wait for the right moment.”
He added that the remaining 20% of stock is expected to be sold soon, and by the end of this month, the CA storage facilities are likely to be emptied.
Kashmir currently has around 50 CA storage units, primarily located in Lassipora’s SIDCO industrial estate, with a combined capacity to preserve about 3 lakh metric tonnes of apples annually. With the valley’s average annual apple production exceeding 20 lakh metric tonnes, these facilities play a crucial role in stabilising prices and safeguarding growers’ interests.
Mehraj called for enhancing packaging and grading standards to better compete with imported apples. “Our apples are superior in taste, but better presentation and quality standards give imported varieties an edge. Upgrading our standards can help us increase our market share,” he said.
Despite the recent price correction, the early positive trends and improved storage infrastructure have helped orchardists maintain an optimistic outlook, marking an improvement from last year’s sluggish sales.
“It's not just about the prices, but about gaining control over our produce,” added Mehraj. “That’s the biggest benefit these cold storage facilities have provided us.”—(KNO)