Himachal Apple Season Faces Universal Box ShortageHimachal Apple Season Faces Universal Box Shortage Shimla, July 4: Himachal Pradesh’s apple season has commenced, with early varieties already hitting the market. However, the introduction of universal boxes mandated for apple packaging has encountered significant supply and demand challenges. Vikash Thakur, a manufacturer at Alamardar Industry, expressed concerns over the shortage of universal boxes. He stated that the industry has a production capacity of 20,000 units per day, but without confirmed bulk orders, manufacturers are reluctant to produce smaller consignments. The cost of each universal box is approximately Rs 48, excluding VAT. Apple growers, particularly those in mid and low-lying areas, have faced difficulties procuring universal boxes. The availability of boxes from Delhi, the primary source, has been inconsistent. Anil Thakur, a fruit grower from Kotgarh, expressed frustration over the situation, stating that traditional telescopic boxes are no longer permitted, and he is unable to transport his apples without the required packaging. The government directive to use universal boxes has also affected gardeners like Surendra Bhalak, who are ready to sell Red June apples but are awaiting the arrival of new boxes. Jogendra Singh, another gardener, emphasized the urgency of the situation, as the peak apple season in August approaches. The supply chain issues have created concerns among farmers, who fear they may not be able to sell their produce efficiently without proper packaging. “We have old boxes, but we can’t use them for apples. If the new boxes don’t arrive soon, we may have to sell our apples on the road,” said Singh. It is imperative that supply chain issues are addressed before the peak apple season in August to ensure that farmers can transport and sell their produce smoothly.
Shimla, July 4,
The apple season in Himachal Pradesh has begun with early varieties already in the market. However, the introduction of universal boxes has faced significant demand and supply challenges.
Vikash Thakur, a manufacturer at Alamardar Industry in Chail, said, “We are currently facing a demand problem for universal boxes. Our production capacity is around 20,000 units per day, but without confirmed bulk orders, we cannot afford to produce small consignments.”
The cost of each universal box is around Rs 48 excluding VAT. Therefore, manufacturers have to place large orders to avoid excess inventory.
Thakur said they could not supply universal boxes to manufacturers given the failed apple crops in the low-lying areas and low apple production in the mid-high areas.
Apple growers, especially those in the mid and low-lying areas, have seen limited supply of universal boxes. The boxes are mainly sourced from Delhi, but the availability is inconsistent.
He said: “I am waiting for bulk orders, but there are no big orders yet. We have no choice but to wait until the peak season of apples in August.”
Anil Thakur, a fruit grower from Kotgarh, expressed his frustration and said, “Despite the government directive to use universal boxes instead of the traditional telescopic ones, we are struggling to find them in the market. This delay is affecting our ability to deliver our apples to the mandis.”
The government has made it mandatory that all apple transactions in the state mandis be carried out using universal boxes. While the move is aimed at standardising packaging, it has inadvertently created problems for farmers. “The early varieties of apples like Red June are ready for sale, but we cannot transport them without the new boxes,” said Surendra Bhalak, a gardener from Kotgarh. “Every year, the association supplies us with boxes, but this year the stock has not arrived yet.”
Jogendra Singh, another gardener from Kotgarh, emphasised the gravity of the situation: “We have old boxes available, but we are not allowed to use them for apples. If the new boxes do not arrive soon, we may be forced to sell our apples on the road.”
With the peak apple season approaching in August, it is imperative that supply chain issues are resolved quickly so that farmers can transport and sell their produce efficiently.
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