Apple juice: HPMC records a new high

Kullu: Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce Marketing and Processing Corporation (HPMC) has processed a record 1,545 metric tonnes (MT) of apple juice concentrate across its three plants as of Oct 4.
The apple concentration includes 814 MT from the Parala plant in Shimla district, 653 MT from the Parwanoo plant in Solan district and 78 MT from the Jarol plant in Mandi district.
Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that 92% of the apples procured this season were being processed. Sukhu said that a total of 29,200 MT of apples have been procured in the state. Of this, 19,437 MT were purchased through 206 procurement centres of HPMC, while 9,764 MT were procured through 109 centres of Himfed.
Amid the ongoing apple season, while procurement under the Market Intervention Scheme (MIS) continues, the processing is expected to increase.
In an effort to enhance the quality of apple procurement under the MIS, HPMC has piloted the purchase of 1,219 MT of apples from farmers using crates.
For the first time, apple procurement has also begun in the remote area of Pangi in Chamba district.
Sukhu said that the state govt has planned to construct a unique geothermal cold store in Tapri, Kinnaur district, which is expected to be operational next year.
The CM said, “The HPMC has enhanced its processing capacity, with this year's crushing capacity increasing from 21,000 MT to 39,000 MT as compared to the previous year.
Additionally, the grading and packaging line capacity has been enhanced from 15,900 MT to 33,900 MT.”