Kashmir Apple Growers Book Cold Storage Months Ahead as Post-Harvest Strategy Shifts

Cold storage capacity across Kashmir has been largely reserved ahead of the peak apple season, leaving growers who did not book in advance with limited options. Most facilities are expected to begin receiving fresh apples from next week.

A shift in post-harvest strategy

The surge in early bookings is a direct response to last season's price dynamics. When highway disruptions caused large volumes of apples to arrive over a compressed period, market prices came under pressure. Growers who chose to store their fruit rather than sell during that peak window saw prices improve later, and many reported relatively good returns.

A grower noted that after seeing what happened last year — rates under pressure during peak season, prices improving later — growers this year have booked storage space much earlier, and those without advance arrangements are now struggling to secure space.

Storage operators confirmed the trend. One operator said most of their capacity was booked months in advance, shortly after the previous season's stocks were cleared, and that the response has been much stronger this year. The remaining capacity has also been booked in recent weeks.

Beyond storage capacity

Growers are increasingly using cold storage to manage periods of concentrated arrivals and price fluctuations, holding back part of the crop when market supply is high. However, access depends on capacity being reserved in advance.

Growers also stressed that storage capacity alone does not address all marketing constraints. They called for improvements in market management, transport infrastructure, and access to timely market information.