Apple Growers in Shimla Brace for Tough Season as Output Set to Halve
Apple growers in Shimla district are staring at a difficult year, with production expected to drop by nearly 50 per cent due to unfavourable weather conditions. The administration has projected this year’s output at just 2.31 lakh metric tonnes, a steep decline from last year’s 4.41 lakh metric tonnes—raising concerns about the livelihoods of thousands of families who depend on horticulture.
The grim outlook was shared during a virtual review meeting led by the Deputy Commissioner, where preparations for the upcoming apple season were assessed in detail. Discussions covered everything from transportation and labour availability to traffic management, packaging materials and market arrangements, reflecting the scale of planning required for the region’s most important crop.
Despite the reduced harvest, the administration has assured growers that every effort will be made to ensure smooth marketing and transportation. Officials have been directed to work closely together so that orchardists do not face unnecessary hurdles during the peak season.
At the local level, Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) have been asked to hold meetings with orchardists and transport unions to estimate the number of vehicles required. In case of shortages, additional trucks will be brought in from nearby districts and states. Authorities are also focusing on ensuring that enough labour is available during harvesting and transportation—a recurring challenge for growers.
In a move aimed at improving transparency, freight charges will now be calculated based on weight—kilograms and tonnes—rather than the number of apple boxes. Officials believe this shift will make transportation costs clearer and fairer for farmers. A committee involving SDMs, police officials, PWD representatives and HRTC members will finalise the rates, which will be publicly displayed.
To strengthen coordination, the main control room for the apple season will be set up at Fagu by July 15. Equipped with communication systems, CCTV cameras and police personnel, it will serve as a central point to address issues and monitor operations. To reduce congestion at the Bhattakufer fruit market, only sample boxes will be brought in for price determination, while full consignments will be sent directly to commission agents’ warehouses.
The administration has also announced vehicle registration fees for the season, ranging from ₹200 for smaller vehicles to ₹1,000 for heavy trailers.
Traffic management remains another key focus area. To prevent bottlenecks, trucks carrying apples will not be allowed into Shimla city and will instead be diverted via the Dhalli-Mehli bypass. Additionally, the movement of apple-laden trailers between Theog and Shimla will be restricted during daytime hours to keep roads less congested.
Officials say the sharp drop in production is largely due to months of adverse weather, which disrupted flowering and fruit development across many apple-growing areas. For growers already dealing with rising input costs, the reduced yield adds to the uncertainty.
Even so, efforts are being made to ensure that whatever crop is harvested reaches markets efficiently, helping farmers get the best possible returns in what is shaping up to be a challenging season.
