This time the countrymen will get Himachali apple expensive. The reason for this is that the prices of cartons and packing trays have gone up by about 18 per cent. The problems of the growers have increased firstly due to drought in the state and now the cartons and expensive trays. This year, the prices of cartons have increased by Rs 8 to 15 per box as compared to last year. Prinkle Khanna, operator of Shree Bhagwati Industries Baddi, says that this year the prices of cartons have increased by 15 to 18 percent. Paper mills say the increase in GST from 12 per cent to 18 per cent, costlier imported raw material, Ukraine-Russia war impacting raw material supply, increase in diesel and starch rates are among the reasons.
Due to this, not only the gardeners but also the customers will be hit by inflation. Customers will also get apples at expensive prices. About 1.20 lakh families are directly and indirectly associated with apple business in the state. There is an apple business of Rs 5,000 crore annually in the state. Apple is grown in seven districts of the state namely Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Kinnaur, Chamba, Lahaul-Spiti, Solan.
