 "Vidarbha's harvest, cold conditions hurting kinnow farmers in Punjab")
Bumper orange harvest in Vidarbha region and severe cold conditions in northern region and other neighbouring states have affected the demand for kinnow grown in Punjab. As a result, growers here are witnessing a dip of almost 50 per cent in price, compared to the previous season.
Moreover, they are in a situation when there are not enough wholesale buyers in the market, to lift their harvest at a remunerative price.
Kinnow price in wholesale market in Punjab is ruling around Rs 7-8 per kg and the retail price is around Rs 20-25 per kg. While during the corresponding period last year, it was between Rs 15-20 per kg and Rs 30-35 per kg respectively.
As a result, 65-70 per cent of the total farms are still looking for buyers. In 2013-14, the total area under kinnow cultivation was 43,851 hectares.
According to statistical abstract of the state, every year around 1,000-1,600 hectares are added under kinnow cultivation.
Speaking to Business Standard, Prem Bubber, consultant, Horticulture Extension Services, said, "There are two reasons behind the fall in prices of the crop. Firstly, the Vidarbha region in Maharashtra has bumper orange harvest, also called Ambia Bahar crop, which bears fruit from October to January. This crop caters to the demand of southern region, which was earlier supplied by Punjab kinnow farmers. Further, there is glut of oranges from Maharashtra in the northern region market this year. Normally, this crop is available in the local market till mid of December but it is still available in the local market, competing with kinnow and thus impacting demand for kinnows, which led to a dip in prices. Secondly, cold conditions in northern region and other states like Bihar and West Bengal, has impacted the demand. As a result over 70 per cent of the farms are yet to be harvested in absence of buyers."
Moreover, they are in a situation when there are not enough wholesale buyers in the market, to lift their harvest at a remunerative price.
Kinnow price in wholesale market in Punjab is ruling around Rs 7-8 per kg and the retail price is around Rs 20-25 per kg. While during the corresponding period last year, it was between Rs 15-20 per kg and Rs 30-35 per kg respectively.
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Due to the subdued demand, contractors are not coming forward to enter into pre-harvest contract with the farmers.
As a result, 65-70 per cent of the total farms are still looking for buyers. In 2013-14, the total area under kinnow cultivation was 43,851 hectares.
According to statistical abstract of the state, every year around 1,000-1,600 hectares are added under kinnow cultivation.
Speaking to Business Standard, Prem Bubber, consultant, Horticulture Extension Services, said, "There are two reasons behind the fall in prices of the crop. Firstly, the Vidarbha region in Maharashtra has bumper orange harvest, also called Ambia Bahar crop, which bears fruit from October to January. This crop caters to the demand of southern region, which was earlier supplied by Punjab kinnow farmers. Further, there is glut of oranges from Maharashtra in the northern region market this year. Normally, this crop is available in the local market till mid of December but it is still available in the local market, competing with kinnow and thus impacting demand for kinnows, which led to a dip in prices. Secondly, cold conditions in northern region and other states like Bihar and West Bengal, has impacted the demand. As a result over 70 per cent of the farms are yet to be harvested in absence of buyers."