Himachal apple output may fall 40 pc in 2026 amid climate stress

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Shimla, June 6

Himachal Pradesh’s apple production is expected to decline by around 40 percent in 2026, with output projected to fall from 6.99 lakh metric tonnes last year to about 4.36 lakh metric tonnes, or nearly 2.15 crore boxes. The sharp decline has been linked to changing weather patterns, including insufficient winter snowfall, unseasonal rainfall, hailstorms and fluctuating temperatures.

The projected fall is expected to impact the state’s Rs 5,000 crore apple economy, which supports nearly 2.5 lakh farming families across major apple-growing districts. Stone fruit crops, including apricot, cherry, peach, and plum, have also suffered losses due to adverse weather conditions.

Director of Horticulture Satish Kumar said apple production is expected to decline significantly this year as changing climatic conditions continue to affect orchard productivity. He also noted that the overall value of the state’s apple economy is likely to reduce in proportion to the fall in production.

Apple orchardist Balwant Justa said production had declined because snowfall and rainfall did not arrive on time. He said growers remain heavily dependent on weather due to inadequate irrigation facilities.

Another grower, Virender Singh, said rising temperatures, insufficient chilling hours and repeated hailstorms had damaged apple crops while increasing cultivation costs.

Harish Chauhan, President of the Fruit Vegetable Flower Growers Association, said traditional apple varieties require 1,200 to 1,600 chilling hours below 7 degrees Celsius, while early varieties need about 600 hours. He said inadequate chilling has affected crop development in many orchards.

Orchardist Raghubeer Singh Chauhan said declining incomes have made it increasingly difficult for farming families to sustain their livelihoods. He added that growers need stronger irrigation infrastructure and better awareness of crop insurance schemes to reduce the financial impact of weather-related losses.

Growers have appealed to the government to expand irrigation facilities and improve access to crop insurance so that farmers are better protected against future climate-related risks.