Heat wave affects two major fruit crops in India: apples and oranges

The lack of pre-monsoon rain and a severe heat wave have affected two major fruit crops in India – both apples and oranges.

According to farmers, though the apple crop in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir is estimated to be down by 25% from last year, orange production in Nagpur and Amravati in the Vidarbha region of Maharashtra is expected to fall by 25–30%.

Prices for both fruits are likely to remain high as availability decreases, contributing to the accelerating food inflation.

The Reserve Bank of India raised its projection of retail inflation for the current fiscal year to 6.7% from the 5.7% it had forecast in April.

The high temperatures prevailing and the heat wave have affected the apple crop in the fruit development stage. This month is very crucial for the growth of the fruit. But still, the temperature is too high.