Adani Raises Procurement Rates for Himachal’s Premium Apples
There is welcome news for apple growers across Himachal Pradesh as Adani Agri Fresh Limited (AAFL) has announced higher procurement rates for the 2026 apple season. The revised prices, which come into effect from 31 August, offer significant increases across most major categories, particularly for premium-quality apples, bringing much-needed encouragement to orchardists amid rising cultivation costs.
For thousands of apple growers in Shimla, Kullu and other apple-growing belts, AAFL’s annual rate announcement is closely watched, as it often influences market sentiment and pricing trends during the harvest season.
Premium Apples Fetch Bigger Returns
The biggest gain this year is for premium apples with 80-100% colour, which are considered the highest-quality fruit.
Under the new rates:
- Large, Medium and Small grades will now fetch ₹108 per kg, up from ₹85 last year.
- Extra Large and Pittu apples will be purchased at ₹60 per kg.
- Extra Small apples will get ₹89 per kg.
- EES (200) category apples will receive ₹73 per kg.
The increase means growers producing high-quality, well-coloured fruit stand to earn substantially better returns this season.
Increases Across Other Categories Too
Apples with 60-80% colour have also received a healthy price revision.
The new procurement rates are:
- Extra Large: ₹43 per kg
- Large, Medium and Small: ₹80 per kg
- Extra Small: ₹67 per kg
- EES (200): ₹54 per kg
- Pittu: ₹43 per kg
Meanwhile, apples with 0-60% colour, along with EEL and ROL categories, will be procured at ₹26 per kg, while undersized fruit will fetch ₹20 per kg.
Higher Than Last Year’s Rates
Compared to the previous season, the increase is substantial in several categories.
The premium Large, Medium and Small grade has seen the sharpest jump, rising by ₹23 per kg, from ₹85 to ₹108. Extra Large and Pittu grades are up by ₹15 per kg, while Extra Small apples have gained ₹14 per kg. Even the EES (200) category has received an increase of ₹8 per kg.
The 60-80% colour category has also recorded price hikes ranging between ₹8 and ₹15 per kg, providing additional support to growers whose fruit may not fall into the top premium bracket.
Relief for Orchardists
The revised rates come at a time when apple growers continue to grapple with rising input costs, including labour, transportation, packaging and orchard management expenses.
For many orchardists, the increase is being viewed as a positive development that could help improve returns from this year’s crop. The higher prices for premium-quality fruit are also expected to encourage growers to focus on better grading, quality management and post-harvest handling.
As the harvest season gathers pace across Himachal’s apple belt, growers will be hoping that strong market demand, favourable weather and improved procurement rates combine to make 2026 a rewarding year for the state’s flagship fruit economy.
