Kashmir’s cherry growers are ending this year’s harvest on a positive note despite a sharp decline in production, as strong market prices helped make up for losses caused by adverse weather.
The cherry season, which begins in late May and concludes by the end of June, witnessed an estimated 35-40 per cent drop in output after erratic weather affected fruit set and yields across major producing districts.
However, robust demand and lower supplies pushed prices to multi-year highs, enabling growers to earn better returns than they had initially expected.
Cultivators said premium cherry varieties fetched between Rs 250 and Rs 400 per kg this season, significantly higher than the usual Rs 150-Rs 180 per kg. Traditional varieties such as Double and Mishri sold for Rs 170-200 per kg, nearly double last year’s Rs 80-Rs 100 per kg. Even early varieties, including Siya and Makhmali, commanded Rs 100- Rs 200 per kg, around Rs 100 higher than the previous season.
“The production was considerably lower this year, but the market remained exceptionally strong throughout the season. The higher prices compensated for much of the production loss,” Mohammad Ashraf Wani, president of the Fruit Mandi Shopian, told Greater Kashmir
Wani said Shopian, one of Kashmir’s key cherry-producing districts, harvested around 500-600 metric tonnes this season. He attributed the strong prices to lower arrivals from producing regions, including Srinagar, Ganderbal and Baramulla and sustained demand from wholesale markets across the country.
Growers in other parts of the Valley echoed similar views, saying buyers competed for quality fruit, particularly premium and late-season varieties, resulting in firm prices throughout the harvest period.
The favourable price trend comes at a time when Kashmir’s horticulture sector has been grappling with increasingly erratic weather. Untimely rainfall and hailstorms during the flowering and fruit development stages affected yields in several orchards, reducing overall production. While the lower crop initially raised concerns among growers, the resulting supply shortage helped support prices.
Kashmir accounts for more than 90 per cent of India’s cherry production and has witnessed rapid expansion of cherry cultivation over the past decade as growers increasingly shifted to high-density orchards and premium cultivars that command better prices in domestic markets.
The Valley produces around 12,000 to 13,000 metric tonnes of cherries annually from nearly 2, 800 hectares under cultivation. Besides meeting domestic demand, exporters have also been exploring overseas markets for premium Kashmiri cherries, supported by improvements in grading, packaging and cold-chain infrastructure.
Industry representatives said the season highlighted the importance of quality over quantity, with growers cultivating premium varieties benefiting the most from higher market realisations. “While better prices brought relief this year, improving weather resilience, expanding cold storage and strengthening export infrastructure would be critical to sustaining the profitability of cherry cultivation in the Valley”, said Basharat Ahmad, a cherry trader and cultivator.
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