In a significant boost to Kashmir’s apple industry, exports have surged to an impressive 1,900 metric tonnes, generating over Rs 12,000 crore in revenue between January 2024 and January 2025. Of this, 900 metric tonnes, valued at Rs 6,000 crore, were sourced from Sopore Fruit Mandi, Asia’s largest fruit market.
This remarkable rise in exports is attributed to improved road connectivity, which has significantly accelerated and streamlined the transportation of apples across the country. Previously, poor infrastructure had been a major bottleneck for the export of Kashmir’s apples.
Fayaz Ahmed Malik, President of the Sopore Fruit Growers Association, lauded the positive impact of better logistics. “For the first time, our apples reached their destinations on time, resulting in better prices,” he said. “From Sopore Mandi alone, 25,000 trucks carrying high-quality apples have been dispatched to markets nationwide. Some stock remains in cold storage, but it is also being gradually shipped to various markets.”
Malik highlighted that the journey time from Sopore to Jammu has been reduced to just five hours, a significant improvement. “The new four-lane roads and tunnels have made the travel from Srinagar to Jammu much smoother,” he added.
Bashir Ahmed Basheer, President of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers and Dealers Association, confirmed that all apple shipments were delivered on time—an unprecedented achievement for the region. “Timely transportation was our primary demand, and this season has been a breakthrough,” he said. “The total export value has exceeded Rs 12,000 crore, with some stock still in cold storage.” Basheer also expressed satisfaction with the favourable rates in markets across the country. “The rates this season have been quite good,” he noted.
Despite the success, apple growers are deeply concerned about the ongoing dry spell, which threatens the upcoming season’s yield. Basheer warned that the lack of snowfall and rainfall could reduce moisture levels in the orchards, making the trees more susceptible to disease and affecting the fruit’s quality. “If we don’t get rain or snow soon, this year’s apple production could drop significantly. Apple farming is the backbone of Kashmir’s economy, and without nature’s cooperation, the sector could face a serious crisis,” he cautioned.
Growers are now urging the government to step in with irrigation support and contingency plans to counteract the effects of the prolonged dry weather. “If conditions do not improve soon, Kashmir’s apple industry could face one of its toughest seasons in years,” he said. Basheer also urged the government to intensify checks on infiltration of fake pesticide’s in the markets.
