SRINAGAR: Cold storage facilities across Kashmir are witnessing heavy demand ahead of the peak apple season, with a large portion of available capacity already booked and growers who failed to reserve space in advance struggling to find storage for their produce.
The surge in bookings follows last season’s experience, when growers who stored their apples instead of selling during the peak arrival period were able to fetch comparatively better prices as market conditions improved later.
Cold storage operators said that a major portion of their capacity had been booked several months ago, soon after the previous season’s stored produce was cleared. The remaining space has also largely been booked in recent weeks.
Most cold storage units are expected to begin receiving fresh apple consignments from next week.
Growers said advance booking of cold storage space has increasingly become a necessity, particularly in view of sharp price fluctuations during the peak arrival period.
“We have seen what happened last year. During the peak season, rates were under pressure, while prices improved later. This year, growers have therefore booked storage space much earlier. Those who have not made arrangements in advance are now struggling to get space,” a grower said.
Another grower said last year’s market conditions remained unfavourable when large quantities of apples arrived simultaneously, partly due to disruptions on the highway.
“Those who had the option of keeping their produce in cold storage waited for better market conditions and were able to sell at comparatively better prices later,” he said.
Cold storage operators said bookings started months ago, with growers reserving space soon after the stored crop from the previous season was cleared.
“Most of our capacity was booked months in advance. The response has been much stronger this year because growers who stored their apples last season received relatively good returns. The remaining capacity has also been booked now,” a cold storage operator said.
Another operator said preparations were under way at several facilities to receive the new crop from next week.
“Several units are scheduled to start receiving produce from next week. Since capacity is limited, growers cannot wait until the last moment to make bookings. The demand this year is significantly higher than what we witnessed earlier,” he said.
Growers said cold storage has emerged as an important tool to manage market risks, particularly when large quantities of apples reach markets within a short period.
“Cold storage gives growers some flexibility. Instead of selling the entire crop immediately when arrivals are high and rates are weak, they can store part of the produce and wait for the market to improve. But this option is useful only when storage is booked in advance,” another grower said.
They, however, said cold storage alone could not address the broader challenges facing the horticulture sector and called for improved market management, transportation facilities and timely availability of market information to help growers make informed decisions.
With the apple season approaching its peak, the early booking of available cold storage capacity has highlighted the growing reliance of growers on controlled storage facilities to cushion themselves against sharp fluctuations in market prices. (KNO)
