For the second year running, the packaging material of apple is set to see a significant hike in prices. While the cost of cartons across various categories is likely to increase by up to 10 per cent, the trays used inside the cartons are likely to get 25 to 30 per cent costlier.
On packaging material alone, at least Rs 40 has increased in just two years. Such sharp hikes will make apple cultivation unviable. Except for the cost of fruit, all associated expenses like that of packaging material, pesticides, fertilizers, labor and transport are shooting up.
Manufacturers are putting most of the blame for the hike on the increased GST rates (from 12 per cent to 18 per cent) on corrugated boxes and paper late last year.
Source: tribuneindia.com