Shopian, Nov 9: Firm apple prices during the ongoing harvesting season have improved market sentiment across south Kashmir, with traders reporting increased customer footfall and a pickup in sales after months of subdued business activity.
Markets in Shopian, Pulwama and other apple-producing districts had remained relatively quiet for over a year, as traders struggled with low customer turnout and sluggish sales.
Shopkeepers attributed the slowdown largely to poor returns from the apple industry, which remains a major pillar of the region’s economy. Damage to the crop, partly caused by disruptions and closures of the national highway and erratic weather conditions, had affected growers’ earnings and, consequently, their spending capacity.
However, firm prices this season have brought some relief to orchardists, with the improvement gradually reflecting in commercial activity across the region.
“The good apple prices have had a positive impact on the overall market,” said Tariq Ahmad, a shopkeeper in Batapora, Shopian.
He said customers had started returning to shops, while restaurants, eateries, ready-made garment stores and other commercial establishments were witnessing better business.
“Markets are bustling with customers again. There is a noticeable difference in the number of people visiting shops compared to the previous season,” he said.
Traders dealing in different goods said the improvement was visible across several market segments and was not confined to any particular category of business.
Mushtaq Ahmad, who deals in ready-made garments and woollens in Pulwama, said business had picked up in recent weeks.
“People are spending more freely than they were earlier. When growers receive better returns for their produce, it has a positive effect on other businesses as well,” he said.
He said the improvement in purchasing activity was particularly encouraging for small shopkeepers, who had endured prolonged periods of sluggish sales.
Traders said the apple economy directly influences the purchasing power of households across south Kashmir, where a large section of the population depends on horticulture and related activities for its livelihood.
Despite crop damage caused by multiple spells of hailstorms during the season, apple prices have remained firm, providing some relief to growers.
Mohammad Ashraf Wani, president of Fruit MandiShopian, said A-grade apples were selling at Rs 1,300 to Rs 1,500 per box.
“Despite the damage caused by hailstorms, the prices have remained encouraging. This has provided some relief to growers and helped sustain activity in the fruit trade,” he said.
He said better prices benefited not only orchardists but also thousands of people engaged in transportation, packaging, grading, loading and other activities linked to the horticulture sector.
Shopkeepers said the business improvement was a welcome development after a prolonged period of uncertainty. For small traders, the return of customers to markets is an encouraging sign that better returns from the apple sector are gradually translating into economic activity beyond orchards and fruit mandis.
