Extreme weather causes severe damage to apple orchards in India

The apple industry in Himachal Pradesh, known as the "Apple State of India," is going through a complex season, marked by losses of up to 70 percent in the main production areas.

Local news site The Times of India reported that producers in regions such as Kullu, Shimla, Kinnaur, and parts of the Mandi district reported severe orchard damage due to a lack of chilling hours, sharp temperature fluctuations, frosts, hailstorms, and unseasonal rains. All of this affected flowering, pollination, and fruit set.

Harish Chauhan, President of the Himachal Pradesh Fruit, Vegetable, and Flower Growers Association, told the outlet that weather conditions began affecting apple orchards as early as winter, and the scale of the damage is unprecedented in some mid- and low-altitude areas.

Traditional apple varieties among those affected

Losses vary greatly by region and variety cultivated. While higher-altitude areas like Kinnaur have shown better relative results, lower-elevation areas recorded damage of up to 80 percent.

Royal Delicious and Red Delicious are among the most affected cultivars, while Gala has shown better adaptation to extreme conditions.

According to data from the Shimla meteorological center cited by The Times of India, heatwaves were recorded in districts like Kullu, Mandi, and Sirmaur in the first half of March, followed by intense cold waves and snowfall. Fluctuations ranged from over 86 degrees Fahrenheit to less than 50 degrees Fahrenheit in a short period of time.

Additionally, hailstorms recorded between March and May compounded the situation in various areas from Kullu to Shimla. 

“My apple production this year is practically half compared to last season,” Shashi Bhushan Thakur, a producer from Kullu, told the local outlet.

The apple industry in Himachal Pradesh accounts for more than 77 percent of the state's fruit production.

*All images are referential.

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