Apple growers in Himachal Pradesh will now use universal cartons of 20 kilogram capacity for packaging from the upcoming apple season, as announced by the state government. This decision, which comes after the government’s move to sell apples by weight instead of boxes, aims to improve the freshness and quality of the fruit. By using universal cartons, the growers hope to receive better prices for their produce. The apple season in Himachal Pradesh starts in July.

Earlier, apples were sold in boxes weighing between 30 to 35 kg, causing losses to the growers. The decision to sell apples by weight faced opposition from Arhtiyas and commission agents, but the government took punitive action against the defaulters. The use of universal cartons will help standardize the packaging process and ensure uniformity in the weight of the cartons.

The universal cartons will have a maximum capacity of 20 kg and will be used for grading and packaging apples. The apples will be classified into six categories based on their size – extra large, large, medium, small, extra small, and pittu. Each carton will mention the number of apples and their size. For example, an extra large apple will weigh between 221-280 grams, and a carton will contain 80 such apples. On the other hand, a pittu apple, which is the smallest category, will weigh between 90-110 grams, and a carton will contain 200 such apples.

The use of universal cartons is expected to benefit both the growers and the consumers. By ensuring uniformity in packaging and weight, it will improve the freshness and quality of the apples. This, in turn, will help the growers fetch remunerative prices for their produce. The decision to introduce universal cartons for apple packaging is a positive step towards standardizing the apple industry in Himachal Pradesh and promoting fair trade practices.