Plastic crates plan for apple marketing in Himachal Pradesh a non-starter

Tribune News Service

Shimla, June 20

The idea to market apple in plastic crates appears to have become a non-starter. Initiated on a trial basis last year by the Himachal Pradesh State Agricultural Marketing Board, the response from apple growers was poor.

“There was a lot of buzz about plastic crates last year. Considering the demand, we held meetings with all stakeholders, including growers, arhtiyas and vendors, to launch plastic crates as an alternative to cartons. But the response was poor.

This year, there’s simply no talk or demand about the crates,” said marketing board MD Naresh Thakur.

The idea struck following the consistent increase in the cost of packaging material over the years. This year, too, apple growers are anticipating a sharp increase in the packaging material.

“It took us more than 10 years to shift from wooden boxes to paper carton. We will need to keep pushing for plastic crates to build it as an alternative to cartons, which are becoming too expensive,” said Harish Chauhan, president of the Fruits, Vegetables and Flowers Growers Association of Himachal Pradesh.

“The packaging material of one box costs over Rs 200 now. This cost will come down by more than half in plastic crates,” he said, asking if more perishable commodities like tomatoes, mangoes and grapes can be transported in plastic crates across the country, why can’t apple be marketed the same way?

Another advantage of using plastic crates is that the apple will be sold per kg. In the cartons, the growers pack anywhere between 25-35kg, depending on the size of the produce.

Meanwhile, Thakur said it was entirely up to the growers how they want to market their produce. “The arhtiyas will not refuse to buy apple in crates. In fact, the buyers making bids will be happy because they be able to check the quality of the apple in a better way,” said Thakur.

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