{
  "id": 17576189,
  "title": "Kashmiri apple supplies fall short of Diwali demand amid fungal outbreak",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/01/kashmiri-apple-supplies-fall-short-of-diwali-demand-amid-fungal",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-11-01T09:45:22.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Economic Times - Economy",
    "slug": "the-economic-times-economy",
    "url": "https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/economy/agriculture/kashmiri-apple-supplies-fall-short-of-diwali-demand-amid-fungal-outbreak/articleshow/135421493.cms"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Srinagar, As Diwali approaches, Kashmiri apple supplies in terminal markets across India fall short of demand, according to growers and dealers. The scab outbreak has severely impacted this year's crop, leading to a significant increase in Grade B and C apples, which are of poor quality and have low market demand. Zahoor Ahad Tantray, general secretary of Kashmir Fruit Growers and Dealers Association, noted that the quality of apples arriving in fruit mandis has deteriorated significantly, with around 50 to 55 per cent or up to 60 per cent of the apples being Grade B and C. Tantray expressed concern as growers, traders, and buyers are all worried about the situation. Despite the poor quality of apples this year, prices remain reasonable, with a wooden crate selling for around Rs 1,300 and a cardboard carton going for up to Rs 600. Traders report that around 400 to 500 truckloads leave the market every day during the Diwali season.",
  "summary": "Supply of Kashmiri apples is currently inadequate due to a significant scab outbreak that has affected this year's crop. The primary concern is that a large percentage of apples arriving in markets are of lower grades. Growers are facing high production costs while receiving low returns on affected apples. Demand remains good ahead of Diwali, with higher-quality apples commanding good prices.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}