Topic
kashmir
Commodities Kashmir’s ‘Red Gold’ Faces New Threat from Saffron Corm Smuggling
Kashmir’s saffron industry is battling the illegal outflow of corms to Haryana and Himachal Pradesh, driven by higher prices and falling local yields. Production last year hit only about 10% of normal levels, while the area under saffron has declined by nearly 35% since 1996-97, prompting government conservation efforts.
Logistics Highway closures leave Kashmir apple growers counting losses
Repeated closures of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway are stranding hundreds of fruit-laden trucks during Kashmir's apple harvest, stretching transit times from 15–18 hours to weeks. The Hindu BusinessLine reports that more than half of the fruit can rot in stranded trucks, while rail and cold storage alternatives remain limited.
Commodities Up to 83% Rainfall Deficit in Kashmir Valley Threatens Apple Orchards and Paddy Fields
A severe rainfall deficit across several districts of Jammu and Kashmir, with Shopian recording an 83% shortfall, is harming apple orchards and paddy fields. Horticulture experts warn of fruit cracking and lenticel blotch, while farmers report drying fields and hardened soil, raising the risk of substantial crop loss. Widespread rains are expected from July 19.
Trade Kashmir Growers Gain Overseas Market Access with First Premium Fruit Shipments to UAE
Kashmir's horticulture sector achieved a breakthrough with the export of premium stone fruits to the UAE. Fruit Master dispatched a 1-tonne consignment of Aerko cherries and Scentrose plums from Shopian and Pulwama to Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) facilitated the shipment, which was virtually flagged off by Chairman Abhishek Dev. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal hailed it as a milestone for the region's horticulture.
Commodities Plum Harvest Begins in Kashmir Amid Hailstorm Damage and Weather Setbacks
Plum harvesting has begun in the Kashmir Valley, but repeated hailstorms have bruised the crop, forcing farmers to sell at low prices. The India Meteorological Department recorded 10-12 hailstorm spells over the past two months, damaging fruit quality. Growers warn that extreme weather threatens the livelihoods of thousands of horticulture-dependent families.
Commodities Kashmir apple farming under strain as erratic weather drives up crop risk
Erratic weather in Kashmir Valley has led to multiple hailstorms in June 2026, causing significant damage to apple orchards in key districts like Kulgam and Shopian. Growers report an unprecedented frequency of hailstorms, with estimated crop damage of 70-80%, while farmers seek government support for protective measures such as anti-hail nets.
Commodities High-density exotic cherry varieties transform Kashmir orchards, fetch premium prices
Kashmir's cherry growers in Srinagar, Ganderbal, and Shopian are shifting to high-density exotic varieties such as Regina and Kordia, fetching ₹400-500 per kg—a premium over traditional varieties. Government initiatives like the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme and the Cherry Cluster Development Project support this transition, aiming to add 4,000 metric tonnes to annual production and benefit 4,000 growers.
Commodities From Khorasan to Kashmir: Saffron Prices Surge Amid Global Supply Squeeze from West Asia Conflict
Kashmiri saffron prices have surged to ₹340-₹350/gm from ₹200-₹250/gm a year ago, driven by the West Asia conflict disrupting Iranian supplies — Iran accounts for 90% of global output — and a sharp decline in local Kashmir yields. Traders and the Saffron Growers Association report production fell to 5-10% of normal last year, pushing GI-tagged saffron to ₹380/gm and raising Iranian saffron prices to ₹190-₹200/gm. Prices are expected to remain firm amid continued supply chain uncertainty.
Commodities Bitter Season for Kashmir Honey: Output Plunges on Erratic Weather
Erratic weather in Kashmir has caused a sharp decline in honey production this season, reversing a 75% increase over the past three years. Beekeepers report yields down by 70% or more, with premium acacia honey particularly affected. The decline highlights the sector's vulnerability to climate variability despite recent policy support.
Commodities Hailstorms Impact Kashmir Apple Prices, Insurance Demand Rises
Kashmir's apple prices have surged due to repeated hailstorms causing significant crop damage. The lack of crop insurance exacerbates the financial strain on growers, prompting calls for urgent policy implementation.
Commodities Kashmir's Shrinking Farmland Threatens Food Security
The rapid conversion of agricultural land in Kashmir is threatening food security in the region. With a significant reduction in cultivable land, Kashmir's dependency on food imports is increasing.