8 hrs ago
Himachal Apple Production Falls 48% After Weather Damage
Himachal Pradesh grows many apples, but farmers have harvested far fewer this year.
About 1.15 crore boxes have reached markets, compared with 2.18 crore by the same time last year.
Bad weather, including rain, hail, snow and low temperatures, damaged many orchards.
The state expects total production to be about 1.5 crore boxes.
This could be the smallest harvest in 10 to 12 years.
Smaller apples have also reduced government purchases and left HPMC with less fruit for juice and other products.
Some growers said their harvests fell from about 1,000 boxes to only 300 or 400.
Farmers also face higher costs for fertilizer, sprays, workers and packing boxes.
Officials are encouraging insurance, newer high-density orchards and scientific farming, while the government plans to consider higher buying prices.
Himachal Pradesh has marketed 1.15 crore apple boxes so far this year, compared with 2.18 crore by the same point last year.
Unseasonal rain, hailstorms, snowfall and other weather-related damage have sharply reduced the crop and apple sizes.
Total production is estimated at 1.5 crore boxes, or 3.5 lakh to 3.75 lakh metric tonnes, versus 7 lakh tonnes last year.
Market Intervention Scheme procurement has fallen to 10,462 metric tonnes from 76,674 metric tonnes at the same time last year.
The state plans higher procurement prices while promoting weather insurance, high-density plantations and scientific farming methods.
- Who
- Apple growers, State Horticulture Director Satish Kumar, Revenue and Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi, and the Himachal Pradesh government are involved.
- What
- Apple production and market arrivals have fallen sharply, with arrivals down nearly 48 per cent so far this year.
- Where
- Himachal Pradesh, including upper Shimla, higher reaches and tribal areas.
- When
- The figures were reported on October 1, 2026; the apple season runs from June 15 through the end of October.
- Why
- Climate change, unseasonal rain, hailstorms, snowfall and low temperatures damaged the crop, while older orchards and higher production costs added to growers' difficulties.
Government Measures and Estimates
Grower Concerns
Production outlook
Government Measures and Estimates
The horticulture department estimates total production at about 1.5 crore boxes. Minister Jagat Singh Negi said it was difficult to predict whether the season would reach 2 crore boxes.
Grower Concerns
Orchardists in upper Shimla and other areas reported very poor harvests, with some saying yields fell from 1,000–1,200 boxes to 300–400 boxes.
Relief and adaptation
Government Measures and Estimates
The government plans to propose higher Market Intervention Scheme procurement prices and is promoting weather insurance, high-density plantations and scientific methods.
Grower Concerns
Growers said rising fertilizer, spray, labor and packaging costs, along with uncertainty over counterfeit pesticides, make it difficult to cover operating expenses.
Comparison with last year
Government Measures and Estimates
The horticulture director cited 2.18 crore boxes marketed by the same point last year, while the minister cited about 3.49 crore boxes reaching markets during all of last year.
Grower Concerns
The differing official comparison figures create uncertainty about the precise year-on-year measurement, although both accounts describe a major decline this season.
Key facts
- Market arrivals
- 1.15 crore boxes so far this year, compared with 2.18 crore by the same time last year
- Estimated total production
- About 1.5 crore boxes
- Estimated production by weight
- 3.5 lakh to 3.75 lakh metric tonnes, compared with 7 lakh metric tonnes last year
- Apple economy
- Approximately ₹5,000 crore
- Families involved
- About 2.5 lakh families in Himachal Pradesh
- MIS procurement
- 10,462 metric tonnes so far, compared with 76,674 metric tonnes by the same date last year
- Planned adaptation
- Weather insurance, high-density plantations and scientific farming methods
Sources
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