Himachal Pradesh’s Rs 5,000-crore apple economy is under severe stress due to climate change, with production in 2026 likely to drop by around 40%, according to PTI. Unseasonal rains, frequent hailstorms and erratic weather have disrupted the crop cycle across the state.
Officials said apple output may decline from 6.99 lakh metric tons in 2025 to about 4.36 lakh metric tons this year, marking a steep fall of 2.63 lakh metric tonnes. The sector supports nearly 2.5 lakh families in eight districts, the news agency reported.
Adverse weather — including low snowfall in winter, untimely spring rains and fluctuating temperatures — has hurt yields. Apple cultivation spans about 1.16 lakh acres, nearly half of the total fruit-growing area in Himachal Pradesh.
Rising input costs are compounding farmers’ troubles. Growers say expenses on pesticides and machinery have increased even as output declines, PTI reported.
Orchardists quoted by PTI say dependence on rainfall is worsening the crisis. “There was neither timely snow nor rain, and we lack irrigation facilities,” said grower Balwant Justa, calling for better irrigation and awareness of crop insurance schemes.
The state’s apple economy, valued at around Rs 5,000 crore, is expected to shrink this year. Stone fruits such as apricot, peach and plum have also seen weather-related losses.
Data shows wide fluctuations in apple output in recent years, reflecting growing climate variability. Rising temperatures and reduced chilling hours — essential for apple cultivation — are further impacting production.
Farmers warn that falling incomes and increasing uncertainty are making apple farming less viable, with many urging stronger government support and infrastructure.
“The area under apple cultivation is about 1.16 lakh acres (about 49% of the total area under fruit crops, which is 2.37 lakh hectares) and production was 6.99 lakh MT in 2025, which is estimated to drop to 4.36 lakh MT during 2026,” PTI quoted director horticulture Satish Kumar as saying.
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Naresh Khanna – 10 February 2025
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