Weak demand for apples in Indian markets has led to early filling of cold storage units across Kashmir, with growers reporting one of the most difficult seasons in recent years. Unseasonal fruit drop, logistical disruptions, and subdued buyer interest have forced farmers to store produce earlier than usual.
Growers said cold storage facilities in South and North Kashmir reached near capacity within 15 days of harvest. "Usually, cold storages start filling in October and it was ending in November as well, and the peak was remaining around October 20 when the harvest reaches its peak, but this year everything happened early," said Ghulam Nabi Dar, an apple grower from Shopian. "Due to heavy fruit fall and poor demand, people started picking apples in advance to save what they could. But the highway closure for almost a month made things worse; our fruit couldn't reach outside markets, and demand dropped sharply."
The closure of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway during peak harvest disrupted shipments and discouraged traders from placing new orders. Many orchardists booked cold storage units in September, much earlier than usual, while hundreds of growers were unable to secure space. "Bookings were full even before the season started," said Abdul Rashid Bhat, a grower from Kulgam. "We had no choice but to store our produce, but the rush was unimaginable. Our apples remained in vehicles for more than 24 hours waiting to be unloaded at storage units."
Cold storage operators confirmed they were under pressure from the surge in demand. "We tried to accommodate as many growers as possible, even by optimising space and adjusting batch timings," said Manzoor Ahmad, owner of a cold storage unit in Lassipora, Pulwama. "But we cannot go beyond our capacity. If we overload, the temperature control system will fail, and it could damage the stored produce." He added that more than 90 per cent of cold storage space in the Valley has already been filled, with the remainder expected to be occupied in the next few days.
Industry sources said the saturation of cold storage reflects wider challenges for Kashmir's apple economy, already strained by falling prices and rising transport and packaging costs. "Farmers who have not got any space are forced to sell apples at throwaway prices as they cannot wait more in the hope of a better market," said grower Bashir Ahmad.
"The government must step in to stabilise the situation by facilitating market linkages and ensuring smooth transport on the highway," growers added. "Apple is our backbone. If this continues, thousands of families depending on this industry will be pushed to financial distress."
Source: KashmirLife
