4.70 lakh metric tonnes fruit sent from Kashmir valley

Srinagar, Oct 17 (UNI) As many as 2.61 crore boxes, carrying 4.70 lakh metric tonnes of fresh fruit, were sent from Kashmir valley to Jammu and other fruit mandies of the country since May.

Disclosing it here today, an official spokesman said this year, despite disturbed condition, 44 lakh boxes carrying 79200 metric tonnes more fruit were transported to mandies outside the valley.

During the corresponding period last year, 2.17 crore boxes were sent outside the Valley.

This year, 6784 more truck load of fruit were sent from the valley as compared to last year. From May to October 15 this year, 40,198 fruit truck loads were dispatched from the valley as compared to 33,414 trucks in last year.

The spokesman said of these dispatches, 1.50 crore boxes in 23,090 trucks were sent to Delhi and other fruit mandies of the country this year against 1.24 crore boxes in 19082 trucks during the corresponding period last year.

As such, there is an increase of 4,008 trucks load and 26 lakh fruit boxes this year.

The arrival of Kashmir fruit in Jammu mandies also increased this year. As against 93 lakh fruit boxes last year, as many as 1.11 crore boxes arrived in Jammu mandies from May to 15th October this year.

Kashmir fresh and dry fruit has a tremendous market in the country, which is evident from the fact that 7.40 lakh metric tonnes fresh and dry fruit was sold in different mandies outside Jammu and Kashmir during 2007-08.

This includes 15400 metric tonnes of dry fruit (almond and walnut).

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