Apple production expected to fall by 40%

15 Jun 2011 Evaluate

Apple production is expected to fall by 40% due to hailstorms and rains in the past few weeks. Agencies which procure apples from the state are accessing the crop loss but say that high-quality apples from Kinnaur which fetch Rs 100 a kg, have not been impacted in a big way.

The Apple Growers Association stated that traders expect prices to increase this year due to heavy rain and with expectation of hailstorms. The apple crop, whose size is larger than a walnut, has been damaged across the apple belt of Kothgarh, Thanedar, Kotkhai, Jubbal, Rohru and Rampur.

The estimated crop loss was 60%. In 2010-11, apple production in the hill state was over 4.4 crore boxes where each box weighs 20 kg. The country begins apple harvesting from August and continues till November end. Traders at Dhalli mandi in Shimla district estimate production to be at 2.2 to 2.5 crore boxes this year.

As per Apple trading house Chauhan Brothers, the prices of apple will increase by 25% to 30% and royal delicious apple which was being sold for Rs 800 to Rs 1,200 for a 20-kg box will now sell for Rs 2,000 a box. Farmers will also get good returns whereas private players who have been setting up controlled atmosphere (CA) storage houses in the state on the other hand stated that it was too early to predict prices.

As per Adani Agri Fresh, only after June 25, they can say what is the correct scenario as rains and hails are continuing in the state. The higher reaches of the Kinnaur belt have not been hit and they expect a good crop from the belt this year. The company has the largest CA storage space for apples with an 18,000-tonne capacity in Himachal Pradesh. Dev Bhumi's export described that even though there was a significant crop loss, retail prices of quality fruits will not go above Rs 120 to Rs 150 a kg.