SRINAGAR: The Kashmir apple growers have been expressing deep concern over the prolonged closure of the Srinagar-Jammu highway, warning that the transport disruption has placed Kashmir’s most lucrative industry under severe stress.
With the highway closed for over 15 days now, not just farmers but traders too are reeling under the impact, as supplies dry up and markets face an unprecedented crisis.
Recent floods have already damaged orchards, worsening the plight of farmers. With soaring transport costs now eroding profit margins, growers fear that thousands of families who depend on the trade are staring at a bleak season.
A delegation of apple growers told mediaperson that the highway blockades have led to a sharp hike in freight charges, making it difficult for them to ship their produce to markets outside the valley.
They stressed that timely transportation is crucial as the bulk of Kashmir’s fruit exports are perishable and delay leads to massive financial losses.
The figues underlines the magnitude of the crisis and revealed that Kashmir’s apple industry is valued at more than Rs 1,200 billion, generating higher revenue than the tourism sector, which has long been seen as the region’s economic mainstay.
The industry directly or indirectly supports around 3.5 million people and contributes nearly 10 per cent of Jammu and Kashmir’s gross domestic product.
During the 2023–24 period, the union territory produced about 26.43 lakh metric tonnes of horticultural produce, of which 18.57 lakh metric tonnes were exported.
Apples made up the overwhelming share of these exports.
Sopore Fruit Mandi, one of Asia’s largest fruit markets, alone accounts for nearly Rs300 billion turnover and handles almost 40 per cent of Kashmir’s apple production.
Shopian, known as the “Apple Bowl of Kashmir,” provides more than 60 per cent of local employment and continues to expand its orchard area.
Apple growers fear that without urgent intervention, the transport blockade could cripple a sector that not only surpasses tourism in economic value but also forms the backbone of rural livelihood in the valley.
Read more: Karachi Streams Swell As Heavy Rains Wreak Havoc In Metropolis
