India: Demand for Himachal and Jammu & Kashmir apples rises as Turkey quake hits supply

Demand for apples from Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh have shot up 30% as the earthquake in Turkey has halted shipments of the fruit to India, said traders. Prices of apples have risen about 25%, providing some relief to domestic growers who have been facing stiff competition from Turkish apples, they said. The severe earthquake that rocked Turkey last month has impacted exports of apples from the country to India. The domestic demand is now being met by the apples produced in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, said Tarun Arora, director of IG International, a fruit importing firm. The supply of Iranian apples has also been hit due to the ongoing protest in the country, he said, adding, The economy in Iran is also in a mess which too is a reason for a drop in exports from the nation. J&K and Himachal Pradesh are the two major apple producers in the country. Indian apples are more in demand in the domestic market, unlike last year. A box of around 24 kg of apples was sold ...