Jumla apples earn about Rs 550 million as Indian apple imports halt

With apples from India halted, Jumla's apples have found a good opportunity in the domestic market this year.

According to Ram Bhakta Adhikari, chief of the Agriculture Development Office, Jumla, about 7,330 metric tonnes of apples have so far been sent to other districts.

Farmers have sold apples at the orchard at a minimum rate of about Rs 75 per kilogram.

Based on that rate, the office's preliminary estimate puts the trade from apples sent outside the district at about Rs 550 million.

The office estimates that around 19,500 metric tonnes of apples will be produced in the district this year, slightly lower than last year.

Detailed figures for total production and the quantity sent outside the district are still being compiled.

Traders have stored some apples in cold storage and at home.

Collective farming at Banjarawala in Tatopani Rural Municipality-6 produced about 34 metric tonnes of apples, from which sales of nearly Rs 3 million have been made.