The unrelenting downpour, accompanied by floods and landslides, within the precincts of Himachal Pradesh has wreaked havoc upon the apple orchards nestled in this state. Furthermore, the distribution of this fruit has been severely impeded by the unprecedented and harsh weather conditions. The copious rainfall has dealt a significant blow to the availability of apples in the wholesale markets of Delhi.
The Indian apple industry is bracing itself for a substantial setback this year, as intense rains and sudden deluges unleash chaos in the key Himalayan region responsible for apple production, according to reports from credible sources.
Government officials and agricultural unions have conveyed that this calamity has resulted in the obliteration of fruit worth approximately $122 million, effectively halving the nation's apple production.
The elevated terrains of Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, renowned for their flourishing apple orchards, account for nearly the entirety of India's apple yield, with a substantial portion being consumed domestically.
A mere 2 percent of the nation's apple harvest finds its way to international markets, predominantly in Bangladesh and Nepal.
The destructive aftermath of the torrential rains extends beyond farmlands, encompassing essential infrastructure, roads, and power lines, incurring damages totaling $550 million in Himachal Pradesh.
Concurrently, the relentless inclement weather has adversely affected India's crucial rice cultivation, prompting a recent imposition of an export embargo.
In conjunction with the deluge, an outbreak of fungal infections has exacerbated the crisis, leading to the decay of fruits, including apples, within the orchards.
Arousing concern, farmer unions have raised alarms regarding the dire situation, highlighting that around 10 percent of Himachal's apple orchards have been swept away, significantly denting the industry.
The recovery process is anticipated to be protracted and strenuous, as it takes approximately 15 years for apple trees to resume bearing fruit.
Both the Apple Growers Association of India and Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers have prognosticated that apple output in Kashmir, the foremost apple-producing region in the nation, will plummet by a staggering 50 percent when juxtaposed with the preceding year's production of 1.87 million metric tons.
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