Shopian, Jun 15: Cherry growers in south Kashmir’s Shopian district are distressed due to low market prices and frequent blockade of national highway.
Cherry growers from different villages of Shoipan district told Kashmir Images that the shelf life of cherry fruit is shorter and the only way to export their stock is through Srinagar-Jammu national highway but due to its closure, many cherry laden trucks remain strained for days.
“Most of the cherry laden trucks were left stranded for days which affected the quality of the fruit,” said cherry growers of south Kashmir’s Sugan village.
“Also due to the non-availability of air condition vehicles, the quality of the fruit deteriorates,” they added.
According to the farmers, last year the per box price of different varieties of cheery including Makhmali, Mishri, Double and Italy was Rs 90, 110, 100, 250 respectively. “This year, the prices have slumped,” they said.
