Shimla: Himachal Pradesh's prized Rs 5,000 crore apple economy is staring at its worst crisis in decades, as unseasonal rains, rising hailstorms, and erratic temperatures slash production by nearly 40 per cent this year.
Officials estimate output will plummet from last year's 6.99 lakh metric tonnes to just 4.36 lakh MT in 2026, roughly 2.15 crore boxes, marking a staggering drop of 2.63 lakh MT.
Apple cultivation, spread across 1.16 lakh acres in eight districts, is the backbone of the state's farm economy, sustaining nearly 2.5 lakh families.
But orchardists say the weather has turned hostile: inadequate winter snowfall, insufficient chilling hours, and destructive hailstorms have devastated crops, while rising input costs deepen their woes.
Desired cooling of 1,200-1,600 hours below 7°C is essential for traditional varieties, but this year Himachal barely managed half, explained Harish Chauhan, President of the Fruit Vegetable Flower Growers Association. Director of Horticulture Satish Kumar confirmed the grim forecast, warning that the vagaries of climate are eroding both yield and quality.