Apple traders in south Kashmir have urged growers not to rush into harvesting their crop, warning that premature picking could increase arrivals in wholesale markets, put downward pressure on prices and affect the quality of fruit stored in controlled-atmosphere (CA) facilities.
The warning comes as farmers in several parts of south Kashmir have begun harvesting early varieties, encouraged by relatively strong market prices.
Traders, however, have cautioned that large-scale harvesting of unripe fruit could prove counterproductive by flooding wholesale markets before the main harvesting season gets underway.
Mohammad Ashraf Wani, president of Fruit Mandi Shopian, appealed to CA storage operators not to accept prematurely harvested apples from growers.
“Farmers should avoid harvesting the fruit before it reaches maturity. Large arrivals of premature apples can affect the market and also create problems for storage,” Wani said.
He said growers in lower-lying areas had started harvesting Kullu Delicious and Delicious varieties several weeks ahead of their normal harvesting period.
“These varieties are normally harvested after September 25, but many farmers are picking them early because of the current prices,” Wani said.
Traders fear that if the trend continues on a large scale, increased arrivals could lead to an oversupply in wholesale markets just as harvesting gathers pace in higher-altitude areas.
Peer Shabir Ahmad, an apple trader and cultivator, said premature harvesting could hurt both growers and the wider apple trade by bringing fruit to the market before it develops the quality required for prolonged storage and better returns.
He urged growers to consider the longer-term implications of early harvesting rather than being guided solely by prevailing prices.
The concern is particularly significant for Kashmir’s storage-based apple trade, where a substantial quantity of fruit is stored in CA facilities and released gradually into the market. Traders said apples harvested before attaining proper maturity may not perform as well during prolonged storage as fully mature fruit.
Apple cultivation remains one of the main pillars of Jammu and Kashmir’s horticulture economy, supporting growers, traders, transporters, labourers and storage operators across the Valley.
With harvesting beginning in some lower-lying areas, traders said maintaining the quality and timing of arrivals would be crucial to preventing an early glut from affecting prices.
Farmers, meanwhile, are being encouraged to harvest early by the opportunity to take advantage of relatively higher prices before the main crop reaches the market.
Traders cautioned that any immediate gains from premature harvesting could be offset by weaker prices, poor storage performance and reduced demand later in the season.
They urged growers to follow the recommended maturity period for each variety and coordinate harvesting with market and storage requirements.
