Apple export season has begun. But suppliers and exporters are not very optimistic. Fruit growers from Paro say both quantity and quality of the apple is poor compared to last year. In addition the price has gone down because of bumper apple harvest in India.
Aap Pasang from Shaba, Paro who has come with a DCM truck load of apple is not so happy with the price this time. “Last year we got about Nu. 650 per box and the lowest price was Nu. 400. But this time, as of now the highest price is only Nu. 450 a box and the lowest is Nu. 250,” he said.
Although the apple export season is in the early stages but Aap Passang is not so optimistic. “This year in Paro, the yield is poor. It is same in Thimphu as well. Poor yield plus poor price-it is a double disappointment,” said Ap Passang.
The fall in the price is being attributed to bumper apple harvest in Shimla, Himachal and Kashmir in India.
“Compared to last year, the price of apple has dropped because of fruitful harvest in India. The markets in Kolkata and Siliguri are flooded with apples from Himachal. This time the price has gone down by about Nu. 100,” said Wangchuk, Assistant Manager of the Auction Yard in Phuentsholing.
Bhutanese apples and apples from Shimla, Himachal and Kashmir hit the Indian and Bangladeshi markets at the same time. FCB officials said apples from India enjoy an edge over Bhutanese apples because of its superior grading and packing.
Meanwhile, FCB auction yard officials say most of the fruit growers do not bring their apples to the auction yard. They sell their produce to the local Indian buyers. The lower market area is filled with apple depots set up by the Indian buyers.
“Most of them sell their apples to Indian buyers. The number of people bringing apples to the auction yard has decreased. I think the Indian buyers give a slightly higher price than ours,” said the Assistant Manager.
Aap Passang who also sold his apples to a local Indian buyer said the Indian buyers not only give better price but also pay them instantly.
The apple export season began towards the end of last month.
