Kashmir’s cold storage units filled to capacity with apple produce

7 November 2024

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By: Jahangeer Ganaie

Pulwama: Cold storage units across Kashmir have once again reached full capacity, with apple growers storing their harvest in anticipation of higher demand and better market prices in the spring. They are hopeful that the decision to store their produce will yield handsome returns, despite a lower production this year compared to previous seasons.

Speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), several apple growers from different districts of Kashmir expressed optimism about the coming months. “The demand for apples in the market is good right now, and it tends to increase further as we move into spring. That’s why more and more growers are opting to store their apples in cold storage units this year,” said a grower from south Kashmir’s Shopian district. “Despite lower production this season, we are confident that the decision to store our apples will help us fetch better prices as the market demand peaks.”

For years, cold storage units were met with some hesitation from growers due to concerns about losses. However, a shift in market conditions—combined with a reduction in cold storage rental fees—has convinced many to take advantage of these facilities.

Aijaz Ahmad, a grower from Shopian, said the initial reluctance stemmed from past losses when apples kept in cold storage units failed to meet expectations. “Last year, despite the good demand in autumn, we suffered losses by keeping apples in storage. This year, we’re being more cautious, storing only when there’s a clear market demand and anticipation of better prices,” he said.

According to Mehraj Ahmad, the manager of one of the cold storage units, nearly 99 percent of the available space is already filled, and there is no room left for additional produce. “Cold storage has revolutionised the horticulture sector here in Kashmir. It gives growers the flexibility to sell their produce when the market is most favourable,” Ahmad said, adding that cold storage facilities provide year-round employment opportunities for local labourers, who help with the packing and handling of apples.

Kashmir is home to about 50 cold storage units, with most of them located in the SIDCO Lassipora industrial area. These facilities are crucial for maintaining the quality of apples over extended periods, allowing growers to access markets that might otherwise not be available to them during the peak harvest season.

The cold storage units, however, still operate on a relatively small scale, and many growers have expressed the need for expanded infrastructure to meet the growing demands of the region’s apple industry.

Azhar Anjum, the manager of another cold storage unit, said these units give growers more control over when and how to sell their apples. However, he also called for improved packing and grading practices to enhance the appeal of Kashmiri apples in global markets.

“While our apples are undoubtedly some of the most delicious in the world, the way we pack and grade them still lags behind international standards. If we can improve in these areas, our apples will be much more competitive,” Anjum said.

Kashmir’s apple industry remains one of the most significant contributors to the region’s economy, with an average annual production of over 20 lakh metric tonnes, often reaching 25 lakh metric tonnes in some years. —(KNO)