The Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation (HPMC) has achieved a record processing of 1,545 metric tonnes of apple juice concentrate this year, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced on Sunday.
The processing breakdown includes 814 metric tonnes from the Parala plant in Shimla district, 653 metric tonnes from the Parwanoo plant in Solan district, and 78 metric tonnes from the Jarol plant in Mandi district.
Sukhu noted that HPMC is processing nearly all apples procured this season, with only a small portion sold through auctions.
"About 92 per cent of the apples procured this season are being processed, thanks to strict adherence to procurement standards," Sukhu said.
Under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS), a total of 29,200 metric tonnes of apples have been procured in the state. Of this, 19,437 metric tonnes were purchased through 206 HPMC procurement centres, while 9,764 metric tonnes were acquired through 109 Himfed centres.
The apple season is still ongoing, and procurement under the MIS continues. Processing is expected to increase as procurement grows.
Notably, HPMC has piloted the purchase of 1,219 metric tonnes of apples from farmers using crates, and for the first time, apple procurement has commenced in the remote Pangi area of Chamba district.
To enhance the efficiency of the MIS, HPMC has introduced an online portal that provides real-time data on procurement, transportation, crushing at processing plants, fruit auctions, booking of Controlled Atmosphere (CA) stores, and direct bank transfer linkages, ensuring transparency for apple growers.
Sukhu highlighted that HPMC has increased its processing capacity significantly, with this year's crushing capacity rising from 21,000 metric tonnes to 39,000 metric tonnes compared to the previous year.
The grading and packaging line capacity has also expanded from 15,900 metric tonnes to 33,900 metric tonnes.
The wine units at Parala and Jarol now have a combined annual capacity of 150,000 litres. Additionally, a new vinegar unit at Parala can produce 50,000 litres annually, and a pectin unit at Parala has a daily production capacity of 1.2 metric tonnes, while the ready-to-serve juice unit can produce 20,000 litres per day.
HPMC has also expanded its market presence by engaging pan-India distributors and opening new retail outlets at Delhi Metro stations and other prominent locations across the country.
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