Srinagar, Sep 27: The halting of Apple trucks on Srinagar-Jammu National Highway and low demand of the fruit has led to losses worth thousands of crores this month alone.

President of Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers cum Dealers Union (KVFGDU) Bashir Ahmad Basheer said that fruit industry has suffered losses in thousands of crores in ongoing month and it will take years to overcome the losses.

He said that when truck is loaded here and then it remains stuck in Qazigund for days together, the fruit gets spoiled due to heat and pure fruit isn’t then reaching the market due to which it fetches low rates.

Despite bumper crop this year, growers are suffering losses as rates of fertilizers, pesticides, labours, packing boxes and other things have increased by 20-30 percent but on the other hand rates of Apple are down by 30 percent due to which growers have suffered losses, he said.

He said that it will take years for growers to overcome losses and such situation continues, Apple industry is going to collapse.

Since last two days, authorities have ensured the hassle free movement of Apple trucks on national highway and we are hopeful that it will continue in whole season, he said.kno