The Amarnath land row which prevented the Kashmir apple crop from reaching the wholesale market, proved to be a blessing in disguise for Himachal’s orchards. Despite less than optimum production this year, Himachali apples have been a big draw for the buyers.

However, with the Kashmir agitation dying down, for the last one week prices have crashed by atleast Rs 200 per box as apple trucks from Kashmir have already reached major markets, including Chandigarh, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Nagpur and Kolkata. Yet, the Himachal growers are a contented lot at the end of the peak season.

Over 1.30 crore apple boxes from Himachal Pradesh have already been marketed and it will take another 10 to 15 days till the apple growers start counting their cash. Every day about 550 trucks are leaving Shimla in addition to an almost equal number from Kullu, Sirmaur, Mandi and Chamba taken together. State government estimates expect the total production to be between 1.12 crore and 1.15 crore boxes, atleast 28 lakh boxes less than 2006 — a bumper season. Last year, Himachal Pradesh produced 1.21 crore apple boxes.

Nonetheless, the market price remains higher than 2007, when the price had crashed to Rs 600 to Rs 700 per box during the corresponding month. The Royal Delicious apple variety from Himachal is selling at Rs 800 per box and the best ones can still fetch Rs 900 per box. The Red Richer, a recently imported American variety, is fetching Rs 725 per box, nearly Rs 50 to Rs 75 more than last year.

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