Asia's largest fruit and vegetable market, Azadpur in Delhi, of late, has reportedly been left longing for Kullu apples, with most growers preferring to sell their fruits in local markets for better prices.
Even after a notification from Delhi High Court, fruit commission agents in Delhi were allegedly fleecing Himachal`s apple growers on the pretext of several expenses. Burdened with soaring prices of packaging, apple boxes, fare and labour costs, most growers have now broken their ties with Delhi and other big markets outside the state. For, local markets in Kullu are offering much better prices than in Delhi, Udaipur, Ahmadabad and Chandigarh, sources said.
"Purchasers are the same, but the market is different. The same purchasers were buying apples in Delhi and we had no idea what value our fruit was seeking. Now everything is transparent here without the possibility of cheating," said an apple grower. A kilogram of apple in Bandrol, Bhunter, Takoli, Patlikuhal and Manali fruit markets is selling up to Rs 70 while the same apple, after deducting all charges, is selling for a maximum of Rs 55 in outside markets, he said.
A prominent apple grower in Kullu, Virender Rashpa, said, "Many commission agents from Delhi have stopped visiting Kullu for business now. Earlier, they used to distribute advance money among apple growers to ensure business for his side. This way, the growers were bound to sell their produce to a particular agent. Now, most growers are aware of their deception. We are free to sell our produce wherever we want."
Another grower from Patlikuhal, Narender Sharma, said he sold 400 boxes of apple, each containing 20 kg fruit in a vegetable market in Ahmadabad and each box fetched Rs 650. "I have purchased from an orchard at Rs 750 per box which is Rs 100 more than the sale price. After that, I tried in local market and sold a box for Rs 900. I was shocked with my bills and realized that going with Ahmedabad market was the most stupid step as I lost Rs 1 lakh in vain. Now, I`m going to sell all my produce in local markets, where I can determine whether I should sell my apples or I should try somewhere else," he added.
Some of the most luring reasons behind choosing local fruit markets are easy accessibility, transparency and complete control over bid, lesser fare, nominal labour charges, no need of permanent and attractive packaging, besides the facility of getting cash on the same day, sources said. "Due to very less apple production this year, commission agents are having a tough time luring horticulturists. This is not less than a disaster for agents that apple growers of the state have learned their moves," they said.