Cherry cultivation is an important part of the Valley’s horticulture sector, bringing in annual revenues of ₹150 to ₹175 crore.
| Photo Credit:
IMRAN NISSAR
The first parcel train carrying freshly-plucked cherries from the Kashmir Valley reached Mumbai on Sunday evening, completing a journey of nearly 2,000 km in around 30 hours.
The train departed from Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Katra station in Jammu on Saturday with a consignment of 10 to 12 tonnes of cherries, marking a milestone in efforts to boost horticulture exports from the region.
Bashir Ahmad Bashir, Chairman of the All Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers cum Dealers Union, confirmed the train’s arrival at Bandra Terminus in Mumbai.
“It arrived on Sunday evening at its destination well on time,” Bashir said.
Key market
Kashmir exports the bulk of its cherry produce to Mumbai, which serves as the key market and primary distribution hub for the fruit.
Uchit Singhal, Senior Divisional Commercial Manager, Northern Railway, told businessline that a second parcel consignment was attached to train number 19028, which left Jammu at 6 a.m. on Monday. He added that a third consignment is scheduled to depart from Katra station on Tuesday.
“The shipments take 30 hours to reach Mumbai”, he said.
Logistical challenges
The move is part of the Indian railways’ initiative to provide faster and safer transport for perishable produce from Jammu and Kashmir to markets across India.
Thousands of farmers cultivating drupe fruits have faced logistical challenges for decades. In the absence of rail transport, they often incur heavy losses as the produce, known for its short shelf life, spoils en route to wholesale markets outside the Valley. Air freight for most of the farmers was not a viable option due to its high transportation charges.
“The rail transportation will help farmers save perishable harvest from spoilage during transit, particularly amid rising temperatures,” said Basharat Ahmad, a well-heeled cherry cultivator from south Kashmir’s Shopian district.
He said that logistic support from the government had been a long-standing demand of farmers.
According to official figures, cherries are grown on around 2,800 hectares in Jammu and Kashmir, with yearly production ranging between 12,000 and 14,000 tonnes. The region accounts for about 95 per cent of the country’s total cherry production. The crop forms an important part of the Valley’s horticulture sector, bringing in annual revenues of ₹150 to ₹175 crore.
Published on June 2, 2025