Sunil Chadha
Shimla:
Defying the odds posed by relentless monsoon rains and widespread road damage, Himachal Pradesh’s apple season has recorded a remarkable surge in market arrivals, with 1.73 crore apple boxes (20 kg each) reaching markets across the state between June 27 and September 15, 2025.
This marks a 40 per cent increase compared to 1.23 crore boxes dispatched during the same period last year, according to government data. A government spokesperson attributed this success to round-the-clock efforts by the state administration, led by Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, and the quick action of the Public Works Department (PWD) in restoring road connectivity to apple-growing regions.
Despite torrential rainfall and landslides damaging key roads, government agencies managed to restore or reconnect affected routes in record time, ensuring that apple-laden trucks could continue reaching mandis. Even during peak disruption, state machinery remained operational 24×7 to support apple growers.
The spokesperson said, “The Chief Minister personally monitored the situation and every effort was made to avoid logistical bottlenecks. Growers were not left to suffer despite natural calamities.”
Apple arrivals surge across major mandis
Detailed figures from major Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMCs) highlight the surge:
• Shimla & Kinnaur APMC: 1,09,86,863 boxes (up from 77,40,164 last year)
• Mandi APMC: 16,81,055 boxes (down from 89,19,893 last year, attributed to shifting volumes to other mandis)
• Solan APMC: 24,90,835 boxes (up from 22,18,685)
• Kullu APMC: 20,88,374 boxes (up from 14,03,392)
The spokesperson added that the government remains committed to providing all necessary support to orchardists, including marketing infrastructure and transport.
HPMC procurement doubles to over 55,000 MT
Under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS), the Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation (HPMC) has so far procured over 55,000 metric tonnes of apples, more than double of last year’s figures.
To facilitate this large-scale procurement, 274 collection centres have been set up across apple-growing belts. However, in areas where road access remains restricted, the Chief Minister has ordered the deployment of additional transport vehicles to ensure no produce is left behind.
Meanwhile, HPMC’s fruit processing plants at Parala (Shimla), Parwanoo (Solan) and Jarol (Mandi) are operating at full capacity, collectively processing nearly 400 tonnes of apples daily.
Speaking on the season’s success, Chief Minister Sukhu said: “The state government is fully committed to protecting the interests of our apple growers. We are ensuring that they receive fair prices and timely support — from transportation to procurement. The introduction of the universal carton is a step toward bringing uniformity and ending the exploitation of farmers by middlemen.”
