Shopian, Nov 6: Apple prices in wholesale fruit markets across south Kashmir have witnessed a significant surge ahead of Diwali, with premium-quality produce fetching higher rates amid increased demand from markets outside the Union Territory.
Mohammad Ashraf Wani, President of Fruit MandiShopian, said premium-quality apples are currently selling between Rs 1,300 and Rs 1,500 per box, while medium-quality, five-layer apples are fetching between Rs 1,000 and Rs 1,200 per box.
“There has been a rise in prices ahead of Diwali, particularly for premium-quality apples. The rates for medium-quality produce are also holding up well,” Wani said.
He, however, maintained that prices had remained relatively stable throughout the season, ensuring reasonable returns for growers.
“Although prices have witnessed a surge in the run-up to Diwali, the overall market remained good this season. Growers have received satisfactory rates for their produce,” he said.
Mohammad Saleem Mir, an apple grower from Aliyalpora village in Shopian, said increased demand ahead of Diwali had contributed to an improvement in prices, particularly for better-quality produce.
“Prices have surged in the run-up to Diwali, but overall, the market remained good throughout the season,” Mir said.
He said the market had offered growers a relatively favourable environment, although returns continued to depend largely on the quality and grading of apples.
“Those who have managed to produce good-quality apples are getting better prices. The difference in rates between premium and medium-quality apples remains significant,” he said.
The apple trade continues to be one of the major economic activities in South Kashmir, with thousands of trucks transporting the seasonal harvest to wholesale markets across the country.
Around 2,000 fruit-laden trucks leave Kashmir every day, carrying apples to different markets outside the Valley. The daily movement reflects the scale of the seasonal trade and the importance of transportation networks in connecting local growers with buyers across the country.
Shopian, one of Kashmir’s major apple-producing districts, accounts for a substantial share of the Valley’s apple trade. The industry supports thousands of orchardists, traders, commission agents, transporters and workers engaged in harvesting, grading, packaging and transportation.
Growers said that while seasonal fluctuations in prices were common, the availability of buyers and demand for high-quality produce remained crucial in determining their returns.
The improvement in prices ahead of Diwali has provided additional gains to growers, even as they maintain that the season as a whole has been relatively encouraging for the apple industry.
The positive market sentiment has also had a spillover effect on other businesses, with traders reporting increased customer activity in local markets.
“The good prices fetched by apples have also lifted the overall market sentiment, with buyers thronging markets to purchase other commodities,” said Tariq Ahmad Mir, who runs Bright Kitchen Ware store in Batapora, Shopian.
