HP govt implements uniform packing standards for apples

Himachal Pradesh has mandated the use of universal cartons (20kg capacity) for apple packaging from the upcoming season. The move aims to ensure quality, freshness, and fair pricing for apple growers. The decision was announced in the budget speech and implemented through a notification. Apples will be graded into six categories based on size and quantity, ensuring transparency. The use of larger cartons will benefit growers by reducing transportation costs and allowing them to pack more apples, thus potentially increasing profitability.

Apple growers in Himachal Pradesh will only use universal cartons size of 20 kilogram capacity for packaging from the upcoming apple season, the state government issued a notification on Wednesday.

The state government had implemented the decision to sell apples by weight and not by boxes during the 2023 apple season and promised to use only universal cartons from this season. The decision in this regard has been implemented, officials said on Thursday.

In his budget speech in February, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced that universal cartons will be introduced for apple packaging in the state for this season.

The apple season commences in July in the state.

The use of universal cartons would help ensure freshness and quality and help the growers get remunerative prices, officials said.

The apples have been graded into six categories - extra large, large, medium, small, extra small and pittu, and the number of apples and size has been clearly mentioned and the maximum ceiling for RSC (Regular Slotted Container)/CFB (Corrugated Fiber Board) /universal carton would be 20 kg.

The size of an extra large apple has been put between 221-280 grams and the number of apples in the carton would be 80 while the size of an apple in the pittu (smallest) category is between 90-110 grams and the number of apples in the carton would be 200.

Earlier, the Arhtiyas and commission agents were accepting apples in boxes and the total weight was between 30 to 35 kg and growers suffered losses. The government had implemented the decision to sell apples by weight in the teeth of opposition by Arhtiyas and commission agents and even took punitive action against the defaulters.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)