Srinagar: Apple growers in Kashmir are facing crippling losses this season as devastating floods and prolonged highway closures leave orchards damaged and produce stranded.

Industry groups estimate losses at more than ₹6,000 crore, threatening the livelihood of thousands of families dependent on the region’s apple economy.

The main Jammu–Srinagar national highway, a critical link for transporting apples to Indian markets, has been closed since August 26 due to landslides triggered by heavy rains. The alternate Mughal Road has proven unreliable, causing trucks loaded with apples to remain stuck for days. As a result, fruit is rotting in storage and packaging costs have surged fivefold, making the situation worse for farmers already burdened by weather damage.

South Kashmir has been the hardest hit, with overflowing rivers submerging orchards and reducing fruit quality.

Growers say demand is weakening as delayed shipments reach markets in poor condition, pushing down prices at a time when costs are rising sharply. Cartons that once cost ₹40 are now selling for nearly ₹200, further squeezing margins.

India’s Railways has announced a dedicated daily parcel service from September 13, connecting Badgam in Kashmir to Delhi’s Adarsh Nagar with two wagons reserved exclusively for apples. Farmers hope this step will provide some relief, though concerns remain about whether the service can handle the massive backlog of produce.

The crisis has also impacted exports, which make up less than 2 percent of Kashmir’s apple production, mainly to Bangladesh and Nepal. With domestic distribution networks disrupted, the future of the current harvest looks increasingly uncertain. Farmers and trade associations are calling for urgent government intervention, including financial relief, faster restoration of highways, and long-term investment in resilient infrastructure to safeguard the valley’s apple industry.