Natural disasters have put Himachal Pradesh’s multi-crore apple industry in jeopardy as hundreds of roads in Shimla and Kullu districts remain blocked for transportation. Apple crops worth crores are stranded in orchards and grading centers, with packed crates unable to reach markets due to disrupted connectivity.
The state’s apple business typically reaches around ₹4,500 crore annually, but this year’s heavy rainfall has closed most transportation routes during peak harvest season. In Shimla district alone, approximately 3.25 lakh apple crates are stranded, while supply to other states has become negligible.
Widespread transportation disruption
In the high-altitude areas where apple season is at its peak, the situation has become critical. In Rampur sub-division’s Nankhari and 12/20 areas, apple crates are stranded due to blocked roads. Around one lakh crates are stuck in the 12/20 area and Nankhari tehsil’s Kholighat, Gahan, Addu, Nagadhar, Khamadi, Kandreri, Kungalbalti, and Suradbangla regions.
Similar conditions prevail in Rohru, Chaupaal, Jubbal, and Kotkhai, where nearly 1.75 lakh apple crates are stranded due to road blockages. The Nirmand sub-division’s Chayal panchayat has been cut off for four weeks, with around 50,000 apple crates trapped there.
Kullu faces massive losses
In Kullu district, approximately 40-45 lakh apple crates are still pending harvest in orchards. The closure of the Kullu-Mandi highway has stranded around 300 vehicles of various sizes carrying apples, with over 70,000 crates stuck in transportation. Additionally, about one lakh crates purchased by traders from vegetable markets remain stranded, creating a potential crisis for around one lakh crates total.
Kinnaur apple season also affected
Kinnaur district, where the apple season has recently begun, faces similar challenges. The Tapri fruit market has 8,000-10,000 apple crates stranded, while higher altitude areas are yet to begin their harvest season. The blocked National Highway-5 has prevented apple transportation from the district to markets. The horticulture department has advised growers not to harvest crops immediately.
Economic impact on state GDP
Horticulture contributes over 20% to Himachal Pradesh’s Gross Domestic Product, with the state’s economy heavily dependent on agriculture and horticulture. This year’s heavy rainfall has created an economic crisis for apple growers, threatening livelihoods across the apple-growing belt.
Apple growers including Dayal Nalwa, Tekchand Rajta, Rajesh Khund, Jagdish Mehta, Vikki Thakur, Satish Mehta, Sushil Mehta, Gopal Thakur, Santosh Kumar, Sher Singh, Jagdish Kumar, and Layak Ram have demanded urgent road restoration from the state government, district administration, and Public Works Department.
“If roads are not restored quickly, apple growers will face losses worth crores,” they warned, highlighting the urgent need for infrastructure rehabilitation to save the season and prevent massive economic losses to farming communities dependent on apple cultivation.
