SRINAGAR: Kashmiri apple growers and dealers are optimistic about the improvement in the situation in Bangladesh as few varieties of apple crop nears its harvesting.
Bangladesh has been undergoing a deep crisis which unnerved the Kashmiri apple growers, who export a major part of produce to the neighbouring country.
Bangladesh is a key market for early apple varieties from Kashmir, including American, Red Delicious, Dilruba, Dilnasheen, and others.
While few varieties of apples couldn’t be shipped to Bangladesh due to the unrest, the apple growers and dealers are hopeful for the improvement in the situation for continuation of trade with the neighbouring country.
“We are soon going to harvest some early varieties of apples. These early varieties of apples are being exported to Bangladesh apart from some markets of India. We hope that the situation improves in Kashmir so that apples are exported to Bangladesh,” said President Sopore Fruit Mandi Fayaz Ahmad Malik.
He mentioned that dealers initially shipped a few truckloads of early apple varieties but halted trade due to the unrest.
“Eight to ten truckloads of apples were sent a few days ago. However, the trade was suspended due to the unrest, and demand for Kashmiri apples in Bangladesh has also declined,” he said.
Malik stated that over 70 percent of the American apple variety from North Kashmir is shipped to Bangladesh annually.
“Out of 300,000 metric tons of apples produced in North Kashmir, 250,000 metric tons are exported to Bangladesh. The country has proven to be a strong market for Kashmiri apples, offering good rates to dealers and growers due to high demand,” he said.
Dealers mentioned that during the season, over 30 trucks loaded with apples depart for Bangladesh on average each day.
Malik said the improvement of the situation in Bangladesh is crucial for the sales of American variety. “Bangladesh situation is very crucial for the American variety. Bangladeshi dealers camp in Sopore mandi for months together and buy apples in good quantity for exportation to their native country,” he said.
Typically, dealers from Bangladesh arrive in Kashmir from August to October, purchasing various apple varieties from different mandis across the valley.
Notably, demand for Kashmiri apples in Bangladeshhas surged in recent years, positioning it as a key market for the fruit.
To meet the rising demand, exporters from Kashmir have been actively collaborating with Bangladeshi distributors and retailers to establish a seamless supply chain. This partnership has not only benefited the apple growers in Kashmir but has also opened new avenues for economic collaboration between the two regions.(KNO)
