Srinagar: Every morning, Ali Mohammad Bhat rushes to Sopore Mandi to dispatch the apple shipment to outside markets.

 Just a week ago, he discussed plans to store his produce in cold storage before sending it to outside markets for sale. “We were preparing to send apples in May when demand usually rises, but now we are rushing to dispatch stocks across India,” he said.

 Apple growers and traders in Kashmir are working overtime to tap into an unexpected surge in demand, as geopolitical tensions in the Middle East disrupt imports and push domestic prices sharply higher.

 The sudden spike in demand is being linked to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, which has disrupted foreign trade routes, including apple imports. Traders said they have been flooded with calls from buyers across Indian states seeking immediate supplies.

 “We got so many calls from outside dealers insisting that we send apples. Because of the war, there is a heavy shortage in the market,” Bhat added.

 The conflict, now in its third week, has particularly affected imports from Iran—a key supplier of apples to India. According to industry estimates, India imports over 130,000 metric tonnes of fresh apples annually from Iran, valued at around $65 million. With shipments disrupted, domestic produce—especially from Kashmir—has seen a sharp uptick in demand.

 Prices have responded swiftly. Growers and traders said a 10 kg box of Delicious apples is currently selling for around ₹1,200, while Kullu varieties are fetching up to ₹1,400.

 “The rates are very good and satisfactory. They can go up further as the war shows no signs of ending,” said Bashir Ahmad Bashir, Chairman of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers-cum-Dealers Association.

 Despite the sudden demand spike, industry representatives claimed that the supply is not an immediate concern. Kashmir is estimated to have more than 2.5 lakh metric tonnes of apples still stored in cold facilities across the Valley.

 “We have abundant stocks ready to be shipped. This can meet demand across India,” Bashir said, adding that storage owners have begun releasing inventory at a rapid pace.

 Cold storage operators confirm the trend. Mushtaq Ahmad, who runs a small-scale facility, said packaging and dispatch operations have intensified in recent days. “Nearly all cold storage owners are emptying their stocks now to supply different markets,” he said.

 Usually, cold storage owners start shipping the apples in May, when the exports from various countries to India drop. Over the years, this period has proven lucrative for apple growers and dealers who get double returns for apples in May and June.

© The Kashmir Monitor News