Sopore mandi dispatches 3–3.5 lakh boxes daily
Traders seek early reopening of Toubal Bridge to ease transportation
Sopore|Nov, 2: Demand for Kashmir apples has picked up at Sopore Fruit Mandi ahead of Diwali and Chhath Puja, with premium-quality produce fetching up to Rs 1,300 per box as traders report increased orders from different parts of the country.
The festive-season demand has particularly strengthened the market for large-sized, clean and blemish-free apples, with Bihar emerging as one of the key destinations for Kashmir’s premium produce.
Traders said buyers were showing a clear preference for better-quality apples, which continue to command attractive prices, while fruit affected by diseases and hailstorms is facing difficulties in the market.
According to traders, around 3 lakh to 3.5 lakh boxes are being dispatched daily from Sopore Fruit Mandi to various markets across India and neighbouring countries, reflecting sustained trading activity despite concerns over crop quality.
Meanwhile, fruit traders have urged the administration to expedite repair work and reopen the Toubal Bridge, saying its continued closure is creating transportation difficulties during the peak marketing season.
With apple consignments for Diwali and the subsequent Chhath Puja rush expected to increase, traders said restoring traffic on the bridge was important to ensure the smooth movement of produce to different destinations.
Gulam Nabi, a local grower said the administration had earlier indicated that the repair work would be completed within 10 days, and expressed hope that the bridge would be reopened shortly.
“We hope the administration will reopen the bridge without further delay. The festive season is approaching, and the movement of fruit consignments is expected to increase. Its continued closure is adding to the difficulties of growers and traders,” he said.
Traders said loading for Chhath Puja markets was scheduled to begin from Monday, making the reopening particularly urgent to avoid further transportation-related disruptions.
They maintained that while premium-grade apples were generating encouraging returns for growers, disease- and hailstorm-affected produce continued to fetch comparatively lower prices, leaving a section of growers facing financial difficulties.
The price difference between premium and inferior-quality produce remains significant, reflecting the impact of adverse weather conditions and pest attacks on this year’s crop.
Despite these challenges, traders expressed optimism that festive demand would sustain market activity and support prices in the coming days. They said timely reopening of the bridge would further facilitate transportation and help ensure uninterrupted supplies to markets across the country.
Sopore, one of Kashmir’s major apple trading centres, continues to play a significant role in the distribution of the Valley’s produce to domestic and neighbouring-country markets during the peak marketing season.
