Ladakh, India, known for its premium apricot varieties including the GI-tagged 'Raktsey Karpo', produces about 15,868 tons annually from 2,612 hectares, with two-thirds of production from Kargil and one-third from Leh. In 2025, the Union Territory's Department of Industries and Commerce, in collaboration with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), exported 1.5 tons of fresh Halman apricots to Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar.
Rudra Goud PT, Secretary of Industries and Commerce, said more destinations are being targeted. "Fresh apricots have a very short shelf life, so there is a need to improve logistics in terms of cold chain and related infrastructure. There is also a need for value addition and processing of apricot and seabuckthorn products," he said.
Historically focused on exports, the apricot sector now supplies a growing domestic market. Dr Tsering Stobdan of the Defence Institute of High Altitude Research noted that farmers earn similar returns from both channels. Harvest takes place from mid-July to mid-September, with the high-altitude climate allowing a longer season than other states. Raktsey Karpo and Halman have Total Soluble Solids of about 28% and 25% respectively, and are organically grown.
Since 2021, Ladakh has exported 20 tons to Dubai, 35 tons to Singapore, Mauritius, and Vietnam, and smaller volumes of freeze-dried apricots to London. In 2024, unfavourable weather reduced export volumes, but 1.5 tons of fresh Halman were shipped in 2025 to the Middle East. The Halman Apricot Company, APEDA-registered, sourced this year's fruit entirely from Kargil.
Business Development Manager Dr Rigzin Tsewang said strict quality checks and post-harvest protocols are followed. "For distant markets, we harvest at 70–80% maturity. All apricots are hand-harvested to avoid damage, packed in 4-kilogram boxes, pre-cooled for 24 hours, and then exported," he said.
He added that global competition from lower-priced apricots, small-scale and scattered orchards, and high manual labour and transport costs limit competitiveness. Prices fluctuate with fuel and transport costs as well as fruit size and quality.
Halman Apricots Kargil CEO Zakir Hussain Zaidi said the company now manages the entire process, paying farmers about US$1.44/kg (₹120) and covering labour. Apricots are hand-picked, with overripe fruit set aside for drying. Most produce is from Gurgurdo, Batalik, Darchiks, Garkhon, and Gonma in Kargil.
Zaidi said better post-harvest facilities are needed, including pre-cooling, drying, and pulping technology. Early exports faced heat-related spoilage, which was addressed by working with food scientists to pre-cool fruit from 35°C to 4°C before packaging. Breathable packaging with ventilation holes was introduced to improve shelf life. Addressing infrastructure gaps remains key to scaling up Ladakh's apricot exports.
Source: Etv Bharat
