There's currently a limited range of apples that Indian consumers can choose from, says Prashant Gidwani, director at Indian fruit trader Fresh Fruit Alliances Pvt. Ltd: "The Indian apple market is currently robust, driven by the delayed local crop and the limited availability of imported apples. Due to this, the demand remains high, creating a strong market environment. Consumers are experiencing reduced supply options, which is contributing to higher prices and a tighter market."

Meanwhile, the apple crop in Kashmir is severely damaged due to extreme weather conditions. However, Gidwani states it's too early to know the exact extend of the damages. "There have been reports of significant crop damage in Kashmir, due to adverse weather conditions. However, it's still early to gauge the full impact of this on the overall market. Much will depend on the extent of damage and how it affects the quantity of apples stored in Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storage for later release."

The combination of a delayed harvest and limited supply of imported apples means the available volumes are quite low. But Gidwani thinks this is temporary: "Currently, volumes available to consumers are quite low, primarily due to limited supply and the delayed local harvest. This scarcity is likely temporary, as the Himachal apple season is now picking up pace. We can expect the market to stabilize as more apples from Himachal Pradesh hit the shelves in the coming weeks, helping to balance supply and meet consumer demand."

The current situation has resulted in higher prices for apples. Gidwani expects these prices to gradually decline once more apples become available. "At the moment, prices are significantly elevated due to the limited supply and strong consumer demand. With fewer apples available, both from domestic and import sources, prices have naturally increased. However, this trend might change as the local Himachal crop begins arriving in larger volumes. As supply improves, we anticipate prices to gradually decline, though demand is expected to remain consistently high."

"Looking ahead, we expect demand for apples to remain robust, especially as apples are a staple fruit in India. However, as the Himachal crop reaches its peak with increased volumes, the supply side will improve, which should ease pressure on prices. This influx of local produce should help stabilize the market, offering more choices to consumers at better price points. Overall, while demand remains high, the availability of the Himachal & Kashmir apples will play a key role in balancing the market dynamics," Gidwani concludes.

Source - https://www.freshplaza.com