Srinagar, Sep 17 (KNO): Cold storage capacity across Kashmir has been almost entirely booked months before the apple season is set to peak, with growers who failed to reserve space in advance now struggling to find storage for their produce.
The rush follows last season's experience, when growers who stored their crop instead of selling during the peak arrival period secured significantly better prices amid weak market conditions.
As per the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), cold storage operators said a major portion of their capacity was reserved several months ago, shortly after last season's stored produce was cleared, while the remaining space has also been largely booked in recent weeks. Most units are expected to begin receiving fresh produce from next week.
Growers said the early booking of storage space has become a necessity rather than a choice for many farmers. "We have seen what happened last year. During the peak season, rates were under pressure, while prices improved later. This year, growers have therefore booked storage space much earlier. Those who have not made arrangements in advance are now struggling to get space," a grower said.
Another grower said last year's market was unfavourable when a large quantity of apples arrived together due to highway disruption. "Those who had the option of keeping their produce in cold storage waited for better market conditions and were able to sell at comparatively better prices later," he said.
Cold storage unit holders said bookings began several months ago, with growers reserving space soon after last season's stored produce was cleared.
"Most of our capacity was booked months in advance. The response has been much stronger this year because growers who stored their apples last season received relatively good returns. The remaining capacity has also been booked now," a cold storage operator said.
Another unit holder said most facilities are making preparations to receive the crop from next week.
"Several units are scheduled to start receiving produce from next week. Since capacity is limited, growers cannot wait until the last moment to make bookings. The demand this year is significantly higher than what we witnessed earlier," he said.
Growers said cold storage has increasingly emerged as an important option for managing market risk, particularly when arrivals are concentrated within a short period.
"Cold storage gives growers some flexibility. Instead of selling the entire crop immediately when arrivals are high and rates are weak, they can store part of the produce and wait for the market to improve. But this option is useful only when storage is booked in advance," another grower said.
The growers, however, maintained that cold storage alone cannot resolve all the challenges confronting the horticulture sector and called for better market management, transportation facilities and timely market information to help them make informed decisions.
With the new apple season approaching its peak, the early exhaustion of cold storage bookings has also highlighted the growing dependence of growers on controlled storage facilities to protect themselves against sharp fluctuations in market prices—(KNO)