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Himachal Apple Production Plummets 48% Due to Climate Change, Unseasonal Weather
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News18•01-10-2026, 16:15
Himachal Apple Production Plummets 48% Due to Climate Change, Unseasonal Weather
- •Himachal Pradesh's apple production has fallen by 48% this year, with only 1.15 crore boxes reaching the market compared to 2.18 crore last year.
- •Climate change, unseasonal rains, hailstorms, and snowfall are cited as primary reasons for the severe damage to the apple crop, leading to a 10-12 year low in production.
- •The apple industry, a Rs 5,000 crore economy, is crucial for Himachal Pradesh, supporting approximately 2.5 lakh families.
- •Total apple production is estimated to be only 1.5 crore boxes this year, a significant drop from 7 lakh metric tonnes last year to an expected 3.5-3.75 lakh metric tonnes.
- •Orchardists face increased costs for fertilizers, sprays, labor, and packing, with many seeing yields drop drastically, making it difficult to cover operational expenses.
Key Questions Answered
Apple production in Himachal Pradesh dropped by 48 percent due to climate change, unseasonal rains, hailstorms, and snowfall, which severely damaged the crop and led to a 10-12 year low.
The apple crop forms the backbone of Himachal Pradesh's horticulture sector, generating a Rs 5,000 crore economy that supports about 2.5 lakh families in the state.
The state government plans to increase procurement prices under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) by presenting a proposal in the upcoming Cabinet. Additionally, the Horticulture Director has urged orchardists to enrol in the 'Restructured Weather-Based Insurance Scheme' and adopt high-density plantation methods.
