Apple prices may rise in India:Imported apples to flood Indian markets as domestically produced ones rout due to bad weather

You may have to pay a higher amount for apples next time you go to buy the fruit as Indian markets are expected to be flooded by imported apples going forward from here. So far, mostly domestically produced low quality products of the ‘Malus Domestica’ were present in the market. But as the apple season draws to an end in the country, the indigenous apples would make way for those imported from abroad, which would be relatively costlier. Low priced apples in India! So far, low priced, locally manufactured variety of the fruit was mostly available in the market. These were relatively cheaper not because of the Made In India factor but because of the bad quality. Apple prices crash around 60% The prices of apples which were available in the market so far were around 60% lesser as compared to what prices generally are as these were of bad quality. According to the Apple Growers Association of India, president, Ravinder Chauhan, this year the domestically manufactured apples were not sweet and reddish in colour. Online grocery apps offer 50% discount on Shimla apples: A glance of prices of Shimla apples in Delhi on online grocery apps showed such fruits were available at ₹111/kg after a discount of 50%. While, the prices were quotes nearly the same in cities like Mumbai, Ahmedabad, etc. Why low quality apples are available in Indian markets? This year, markets were marred with bad quality apples as crops were damaged during cultivation and harvesting due to bad weather conditions like incessant rains that led to flooding of apple plants in Himachal Pradesh (HP) and Kashmir. Young orchardist Anil Deshta from the Tikkar area of Shimla district told ANI that this year’s weather hit production severely. “We were badly affected by excessive rains. The leaves got damaged, and the quality of the apples dropped.” Another young farmer named Anil also told ANI, “This year’s weather ruined the harvest.” Which state produces most apple in India? HP is the largest producer of apple in India followed by Kashmir. HP produces around 5.5 lakh metric tons of apples annually, contributing over ₹5,500 crore to the state economy. The ‘Malus Domestica’ grown in HP is exported to other parts of the country. Many states are dependent on the Apple State of India for this. Apple grown in Himachal Pradesh is hardly consumed in the state. The fruit is mostly exported to other states like Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, West Bengal, etc. -Chauhan From which countries apples are imported to India? In India, the ‘Malus Domestica’ is mostly imported from China, Italy, Iran, Iraq, etc.