Himachal pear fetches record Rs 2,200 for a box

Pear is fetching better prices than apple in the fruit markets in Himachal Pradesh,the apple state of the country.

The highest price fetched by the latest spur variety of apple in the Delhi market this harvest has been Rs 1800 per box of around 25 kg.

While this is the highest price in the history of apple grown in Himachal Pradesh, according to farmers, the rosy-coloured, Barlet pear has surpassed apple and is selling for up to Rs 2,200 per box of 25 kg, which is the highest ever for a box of pear grown in the hill state.

“I sold three varieties of pear including Barlet in the Delhi market recently.The highest price was Rs 2,200. In all, I sold Rs 318 boxes and fetched Rs 5,90,000 after expenses,” Ramlal Chauhan, a pear farmer from Kotkhai valley’s Dhangvi village told Business Standard.

Meanwhile, the surprising good returns from pear are urging the state government to encourage more cultivation of the fruit.

“In view of good returns, we are encouraging farmers to grow more pear under the new horticulture mission,” said the state’s Horticulture Minister Narrender Bragta.

Other factors favour it too. Pear is a hardy tree as compared to apple, which is more delicate and prone to diseases. Besides it needs less upkeep than apple trees, farmers said.