*Corresponding author: eeshasharma.ishu@gmail.com (
In view of India's potential competitiveness in apple crop in the international market, it is imperative to understand the dynamics of domestic trade in apple. In this study, marketing and price-spread patterns of apple crop in the state of Himachal Pradesh have been examined. A few policy interventions have been suggested for promoting apple crop in the state. The present study has been carried out in the two purposively selected blocks i.e., Banjar and Naggar of Kullu District of Himachal Pradesh by taking representative sample of 70 farmers. The produce has been found to be marketed through four channels and maximum i.e., about 59 percent has been disposed off through channel B (Producer-primary wholesaler-secondary wholesaler-retailer- consumer). Comparison between different channels revealed the highest share in consumer rupee in Channel D (Producer- retailer-consumer) i.e., 73.95 per cent and marketing efficiency has also been found to be highest in channel D i.e. 2.84 which means smaller the channel more profitable it is. Lack of good infrastructure and availability of skilled labour were found to be the major problems faced by the apple growers in the study area.
This study highlights that out of the various channels adopted by the farmers Producer-primary wholesaler-secondary wholesaler-retailer- consumer was the most favored channel, though its marketing efficiency was found to be low. Out of total production of apple a loss of about two per cent was observed due to lack of better cold storage facility.
Marketing channels, efficiency, problems, apple
