Srinagar, Sep 19 (KNO): The demand for Kashmiri apples has started declining in outside markets as thousands of trucks carrying the fruit arrived simultaneously after being stuck for days on the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway.
Speaking to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), growers said that not only has the bulk supply lowered the rates drastically, but the prolonged halts have also deteriorated the quality of the fruit, leaving them to count heavy losses.
For over a week, fruit-laden trucks were stranded along the highway due to repeated closures caused by landslides and repair work.
With the road now partially restored, nearly 5,500 apple trucks were released over the past two days, according to officials.
Growers thanked the government for allowing all vehicles and requested them to work in a way so that such a bad situation won't come to fore again.
President of Fruit Growers-cum-Dealers Union, Bashir Ahmad Basheer, explained this: “Whenever produce in bulk quantity reaches mandis, it disturbs the entire supply-and-demand chain. Prices are bound to go down."
He added, “This time the problem is worse, because most of this produce had remained stuck on the highway for almost a week. The fruit condition has deteriorated, yet the freight charges remain extremely high. It is a double loss for us.”
Growers said that while their produce was stuck en route, the buyers in mandis such as Delhi, Chandigarh, and Azadpur know that this fruit has remained stuck on the highway for days together and they are giving very low returns, further pushing Kashmiri apples growers in losses.
Abdul Rashid, President of Fruit Mandi Jablipora, said the arrival of thousands of trucks at a time has created oversupply. "On top of that, the fruit is no longer fresh due to the long delays. Farmers will inevitably suffer heavy losses because buyers will negotiate at throwaway prices,” he said.
Many growers lament that they have invested heavily in cultivation this year, including in fertilisers, pesticides, packaging, and labour. “We are entirely dependent on this harvest for our livelihood. If we don’t even recover our input costs, how will we sustain ourselves?” one farmer added.
Meanwhile, the administration said that efforts are underway to normalise the situation.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Anshul Garg, told reporters that the highway restoration work is progressing swiftly. “In the last two days, nearly 5,500 fruit trucks have been allowed to move. Similarly, the movement of vehicles carrying essentials is also being ensured,” he said.
The Kashmir apple industry, which provides livelihood to over 3.5 million people, has already been hit hard by erratic weather, rising freight costs, and falling market prices. This latest disruption, growers fear, could further break their backbone—(KNO)