Huge drop in Himachal's apple forecast

Baldev S Chauhan / Shimla June 22, 2009, 0:31 IST

An almost snowless winter, coupled with a prolonged dry summer, has taken its toll on the apple crop this year in Himachal Pradesh.The state’s horticulture department has forecast a huge drop, a month ahead of the apple harvest season begins.

According to the final report submitted to the state government, the state’s horticulture department estimates the production will be around 18 million apple boxes this year.
This is based on the extensive tours of the department staff to all apple growing areas of the state.

Barely a month ago, another report of the department had said the production would be around 21.1 million boxes. In its final report now, this has been further scaled down to 18 million boxes, sources in the department said.

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