India Himachal Pradesh map

As apple harvesting comes to a close in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh production volumes are up on last season despite being 20 per cent less than those of a typical year.

Himachal Pradesh Agro Industries Corporation horticultural director Gurdev Singh told Indian newspaper the Hindu that with production almost finished the state's apple crop would be down 20 per cent on typical year volumes of 25m cartons (20kg).

This, however, is still up on last year’s crop, which yielded just 14m cartons, the newspaper reported.

According to horticulture department officials a lack of rain in the apple producing regions of Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Sirmaur and Chamba during May and June affected the crop.