RABIA NOOR

Srinagar, Sept 8: Contrary to expectations, the Kashmiri fruit is not fetching good prices in outside mandis, thanks to slump in demand.

 The Valley based fruit growers said there was considerable decline in the demand with the result the Kashmir fruit was selling at prices almost 50 per cent lower than the last year.

 Growers and traders here said besides low demand there were many other reasons responsible for sharp decline in fruit prices.  “Due to untimely and incessant rains earlier this year, the crop was largely destroyed and the fruit, especially apple and pear, were hit by diseases like Scab and black dots,” said Bashir Ahmad Basheer, Chairman Trade, New Kashmir Fruit Growers Association.

 He added the demand for Kashmiri fruit had decreased by 50 per cent in India as compared to preceding year.

 He said as compared to last year when the Delicious (a variety of apple) was sold at Rs 600 per case in outside mandis, “presently it sells at Rs 300 to 350.”

 “Similarly,” he said, “American (another variety) that was sold at Rs 400 a box last year, is presently fetching Rs 150 to Rs 200/box. Besides C-grade fruits are sold at merely Rs 50 per box.” 

 Basheer said: “Due to this sharp decline in demand, Kashmiri fruit growers are currently incurring nearly Rs 100 crore losses each month.” 

 The growers cited current year’s bumper crop in Himachal Pradesh as another reason for the decline of demand for Kashmiri fruits. 

 Besides, they said, due to the prevailing unrest in Kashmir, currently fruits had to be dispatched outside during night time, “which is quite a difficult task.” 

 “Owing to this, we cannot send our fruits to the desired destinations since we are not able to get vehicles from the same place under prevailing circumstances,” Basheer said, adding about 70 per cent of fruits were currently being dispatched to Delhi only.

 He said another problem for the growers/traders which had increased their losses was the sharp increase in freight. “This year there has been around 40 per cent increase in freight than the last year. Since transporters have to work during nights, they demand extra charges,” he said.

 He complained that even as the prices of wooden boxes and material used for packing had increased two-fold, “government has not provided us any support.”

Lastupdate on : Wed, 8 Sep 2010 21:30:00 Mecca time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 8 Sep 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 9 Sep 2010 00:00:00 IST