In a significant move to invigorate the apple economy of Himachal Pradesh, the State Government has dedicated a cutting-edge HPMC Fruit Processing Unit at Parala in Theog Assembly segment of Shimla district. Valued at Rs. 101 crore, this Unit is equipped with modern technology and machines, boasting a crushing capacity of 10 metric tonnes (MT) of apples per hour. During the peak Apple season, it can process up to 18,000 MT of apples, yielding 1800 MT of high-quality Apple Juice Concentrate.
This state-of-the-art plant encompasses Apple Juice Concentrate (AJC), Pectin, Wine, Vinegar and Ready to Serve Juice (RTS) units. With the ability to produce 2000 liters of juice in packaged bottles per hour, the Pectin line contributes 800 kg per day during the apple crushing season. The wine unit has an annual capacity of 1,00,000 liters while 50,000 liters of vinegar will be produced yearly. The AJC refinement process employs ultra-filtration technology, enhancing the overall quality of the processed Apple Juice Concentrate.
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said “This unit has the potential to transform the fortunes of apple growers in the State. Positioned strategically in the heart of the apple belt in Shimla district, it will consume a significant quantity of culled apples procured under the Market Intervention Scheme by HPMC, providing financial strength to the growers and reducing the transportation cost of their produces.”
Trials of the Plant during the recent Apple season were deemed successful, processing 5706 MT of apples and producing 591 MT of AJC, valued at approximately Rs. 15 crore in various forms. The Horticulture sector has long been a major contributor to the state’s economy with diverse fruit crops successfully grown across 2,36,466 hectares in the year 2022-23. The total fruit crop production in the same year reached 8,14,611 MT with apples alone contributing a staggering 84.54 percent, totaling 6,72,343 MT.
The Chief Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to apple growers and said that a target has been set up to complete the Parala Mandi by June 2024. Additionally, road infrastructure in the Apple Belt is being reinforced, and the State has urged the Union Government to include the Chhaila-Kumarhatti road in the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund. He said that in a historic move, the government has increased the support price of apples by Rs. 1.50 raising it from Rs. 10.50 to Rs. 12 per kilogram, ensuring orchardists earn maximum profit for their produces.
