Kashmiri Apple Growers See Higher Demand in Southern Markets Amid Iranian Supply Constraints

Apple growers in Kashmir are witnessing an increase in demand for their produce from southern Indian markets, driven largely by tighter competition and supply disruptions involving Iranian apples in the domestic market. According to traders, the demand has been particularly strong in wholesale markets in Chennai and Kerala, where consumers typically prefer high-quality fruit.

“The low availability of apples from Iran has pushed up demand for Kashmiri apples,” said Mohammad Ashraf Wani, an apple trader and President of Fruit Mandi Shopian. During the ongoing season, approximately 24,000 tonnes of apples are being dispatched daily from Kashmir to wholesale markets across the country.

Traders noted that continuing conflict involving Iran has affected the regular flow of Iranian apples into India. Iranian produce has traditionally competed directly with Kashmiri apples, particularly within the premium segment. Additionally, some traders reported instances where Iranian apples allegedly entered the Indian market via Afghanistan, being labeled as Afghan produce to bypass import duties and undercut prices. The reduction of these competitive imports has created a more favorable market environment for Kashmiri growers.

Beyond supply shifts, infrastructure developments have played a critical role in meeting this southern demand. The adoption of controlled-atmosphere (CA) storage facilities has allowed growers and traders to extend the supply window well beyond the peak harvesting period.

Izhan Javed, spokesperson for the Jammu and Kashmir Fruit and Vegetable Processing and Integrated Cold Chain Association (JKPICCA), stated that between 500,000 and 600,000 tonnes of apples are currently stored in these facilities. These inventories include both A-grade and B-grade fruit, enabling stakeholders to stagger sales over an extended period.

CA storage technology preserves fruit for several months by maintaining regulated temperature and atmospheric conditions. This preserves quality, relieves the immediate post-harvest pressure on growers to sell quickly, and allows traders to capitalize on changing demand and price trends across various regional markets.

“Demand for Kashmiri apples has improved in the southern markets, particularly for premium-grade produce. This has given traders and growers a better opportunity to sell their produce,” Wani added.

"This situation highlights the vital role that supply chain infrastructure plays in regional trade and agriculture. By utilizing controlled-atmosphere storage facilities, Kashmiri growers are no longer forced into immediate post-harvest selling, allowing them to capture better value over time. When external supply disruptions occur, local businesses that have invested in cold-chain logistics and quality grading are best positioned to capture new geographic markets, such as the strong demand seen in southern India." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes