Priority is being given to restart units manufacturing essential commodities and medical supplies. The efforts are aimed to give some impetus to the economy by resuming industrial and manufacturing activities in Kashmir.
The major activity has been seen in the functioning of the cold stores from where about 1450 trucks have left from cold stores to Delhi and other terminal markets.
Director Industries & Commerce Kashmir, Mehmood Ahmad Shah said that "There are 31 CA stores holding about 25000 MT of apple and this fruit would be gradually exported to fruit markets till the middle of June”, he added.
Regulating the supplies of fruit produce to terminal markets is bound to fetch remunerative prices for the dealers as there were concerns that due to extended lockdown, the apples may be sold locally at throwaway prices.
This holds promise for the future of the cold storage industry in Kashmir which would benefit the growers and dealers alike as the problem of glut in the apple market can be averted by regulating supply to the terminal markets.
“About 80 packaging units manufacturing cardboard boxes are also functional. By allowing cold stores and cardboard units to resume operations, the fruit crop would get the much-needed packaging and marketing support.
In the next 10 to 15 days, the cherry season is going to start. Both cold stores and cardboard packaging units shall cater to the cherry crop and benefit the growers and fruit dealers. Since the shelf life of cherry is very short, this year more emphasis will be on the canning of the product to increase its shelf life”, Director Industries said.
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