“Over the years, Jumli apple have gained popularity and its demand has grown. Production, on the other hand, has dipped substantially. This has created a huge demand-supply mismatch,” said Bed Prasad Chaulagain, chief of Jumla DADO.
However, the scarcity caused by low production is getting the farmers the highest ever price for their produce.
Apples of Jumla are certified organic products and traders, who collect apples directly from the trees, are paying Rs 45 per kg to the farmers this year.
District Cooperatives Association which was responsible for marketing apples till last year was relying on state subsidy to transport the apples to major markets. “However, this year the production is so low, we are not been able to fulfill traders´ demand,” said Ram Krishna Budthapa, president of the association.
According to him, the demand placed by the traders who are eager to transport and sell the famous Jumla apples in large markets like Kathmandu and Pokhara stands well over 4,000 tons at present. “Apparently, we may not need transportation subsidy this year because of the sharp drop in production,” he told Republica.
Officials said the drop in local production would certainly increase the import of apples to fulfill the local demand. In the last fiscal year, Nepal had imported over Rs 500 million worth of apples from China alone. Total imports of apples during the year was well over Rs 800 million.
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