The plummeting prices of apples across wholesale markets in India have left thousands of apple growers and traders distraught in apple-rich districts of south Kashmir. Amidst very high prices of packaging, fertilizers and pesticides, the farmers fear that they may not be able to recoup the production costs due to a significant drop in the prices of apples. Greaterkashmir.com reports that apple growers and traders believe that a bumper crop has sent the apple markets crushing across the country.
Himachal apple produce exceeds 40 mln boxes
The state of Himachal Pradesh has produced more than 40 mln boxes of apples this season. It’s only the second time the state has crossed the 40-mln mark. The production exceeded this level for the first time in 2010 when the state had produced 892,112 tons, which translated into around 45 mln boxes.
The apple growers, though, are not too enthused with the steadily increasing production. Citing the continual slump in the market this year after August 15, the growers feel the successive governments haven’t created the required marketing structure to ensure remunerative prices to the growers when the production is above average.
Source: tribuneindia.com