Kashmir exports 44 lakh more fruit boxes

Srinagar, Oct 19 (UNI) Despite about a two-month-long disturbances in the Kashmir valley and Jammu division due to the Shri Amarnath land agitation, as many as 2.61 crore boxes carrying 4.70 lakh metric tonnes of fresh fruits were exported to different fruit mandies of the country since May this year.

Informing it here today, an official spokesman said this year despite disturbed condition, 44 lakh boxes carrying 79200 metric tonnes fruits 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 trucks loaded of fruits were sent outside from the Valley as compared to last year. From May to October 15 this year, 40198 fruit trucks were dispatched from the Valley as compared to 33414 trucks in last year.

The spokesman said of these dispatches, 1.50 crore boxes in 23090 trucks were sent to Delhi and other fruit mandies in the country this year against 1.24 crore boxes in 19082 trucks in the corresponding period last year.

As such, there is an increase of 4008 trucks load and 26 lakh fruit boxes this year.

The arrival of fruits in Jammu mandies also increased this year.

As against 93 lakh fruit boxes last year, as many as 1.11 crore boxes arrived in the mandies from May to October 15 this year.

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

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

UNI BAS MYK SW BD1420