A good cherry crop, that is also largely organic as less pesticides were used in its cultivation, has been welcomed by growers in Himachal Pradesh. Production is expected to be over 520 tonnes this season, up from 225 tonnes last year. This was the highest production after 2015-16, when the total production of cherries was 617 tonnes.
The cherries are highly remunerative too, compared to stone fruits, currently fetching a price of Rs 150 to Rs 200 per kg in state markets and over Rs 250 in Chandigarh and New Delhi. Growers, however, regret that the rates are a bit on the low side this season compared to last year, owing to a glut-like situation.
Its harvest is at its peak and the fruit packed in small cartons is heading to markets in Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Rajasthan, say traders.
The higher reaches of Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Chamba and Kinnaur, at altitudes of 6,000 to 8,000 feet above sea level, are ideal for cherry cultivation. Shimla district alone accounts for more than 90 per cent of the state's total production.
Trade representatives said the imported cherry varieties like 'deuro nera', 'stella', 'merchant' and 'celsius', which have a longer shelf life, would get good demand.
As explained by business-standard.com, nearly 20,000 small-scale farmers are involved in cherry cultivation and grow over 20 varieties on over 500 hectares of areas in the state.
[ Rs100 = €1.28 ]
