Srinagar, Dec 27 (KNO): Demand for Kashmiri apples has shown a noticeable uptick as fruit stored in the corridors of Controlled Atmosphere (CA) units has started reaching the markets, bringing some relief to growers after a dull main season marked by low prices and weak demand.
Officials from the horticulture and CA storage sector told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that at present, mostly the corridor spaces of CA units have been opened.
They said that in normal practice, apples kept in corridors are stored under basic arrangements where fans are installed to circulate air, and the temperature is maintained at a minimum level.
"The main CA chambers, which provide advanced controlled conditions, have not been opened yet,” an official said.
He said the opening of the main chambers is expected in the first week of January, which is likely to further increase the supply of apples in the market. “Once the main chambers are opened, more produce will be released in a phased manner to avoid market glut,” he added.
Growers said that due to poor demand during the peak harvest season, a large number of farmers opted to store their apples in the corridors of CA units instead of selling at distress prices. “The rates during the main season were very low, and selling then would have meant huge losses. That is why many of us decided to keep our produce in CA corridors where at least basic temperature control is available,” said Bashir Ahmad, an apple grower from south Kashmir’s Shopian district.
According to traders and growers, the decision has started yielding better results now, with apple prices improving significantly. “Currently, a 15-kg box is fetching around Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,300, depending on the variety and quality. These rates are much better compared to what we were offered during the main season,” said a grower from Sopore, adding that the improved demand has given farmers some breathing space.
Growers, however, cautioned that the sustainability of better prices will depend on how smoothly and systematically apples are released from storage units in the coming weeks.
“If the main chambers are opened in a regulated manner, prices may remain stable. But if there is a sudden rush of supply, the market could again suffer,” said Ghulam Nabi, a fruit dealer associated with the fruit Mandi Bijbehara.
With the main CA chambers likely to open in early January, growers are hopeful that demand will remain steady and that they will be able to recover at least part of the losses incurred during the main season. “We are optimistic now, but everything depends on market management and demand outside the Valley,” Bashir said—(KNO)