Stone fruit rates fell due to import: Shakarpala of Afghanistan, Himachal’s gardener upset with Irani’s cherry; Government should fix the minimum import price

The stone-fruits of Himachal Pradesh are taking a beating in the country’s markets because big traders have imported Shakarpala, plums and cherries in bulk. Due to this, the horticulturists of the state are not able to get wages, rent and cost price. After this, the gardeners have started demanding to fix minimum price for import of stone fruit on the lines of apple and to develop hydro cooling system for their storage.

They are advising not to send Shakarpala, the agent of Delhi Mandi, especially after the rate hike. Shakarpala is being imported in bulk from Afghanistan. From here, under the Softa agreement, Shakarpala is being brought to the country’s markets without import duty. Because of this, a box of Shakarpala is being sold between Rs 40 and 50 per box in Delhi, while it costs more to transport and prepare it to the market.

Same is the case with Cheri. In the beginning of the season, Himachal’s cherry is sold for Rs.1500 to Rs.2000 per box. During the last one week, its rates have come down to Rs 200 to 250 per box. Traders are importing Cherries from Iran. Plum rates were also Rs 150 to 150 per box 15 to 20 days ago. This too has now come down to 60 to 100 rupees. This has increased the concerns of stone-fruit growers.

Minimum import price should be fixed- Singha

Stone fruit producers of Himachal are demanding the central and state government to fix a minimum price for imports on the lines of apples. Deepak Singha, president of the Plum Growers Association, told that the middlemen of Delhi are now asking not to send Shakarpala to the mandi. The crop is not being sold due to falling rates. The gardener is upset due to the huge fall in the rate of cherry.

He urged the central and state governments to fix the minimum price of store fruits on the lines of apples. With this, the horticulturists growing stone fruit in the state and the country will be able to get the right price for their produce.

Hydro cooling system should be made for stone fruit on the lines of apple

Deepak Singha has demanded to prepare hydro cooling system for stone fruit on the lines of CA store for apple. With this, the gardeners will be able to store their crop in case of fall in the market price and they will be assured of good prices.

Good rate was expected due to low crop

This time the crop of all stone fruits in the state is half as compared to last year, because the weather was not favorable in February-March. Due to less crop, the gardeners were expecting good rates this time, but the opposite happened.