Good Walnut Crop in Kashmir; Harvesting Begins

04-Sep-2026 01:50 PM

Srinagar. Jammu and Kashmir alone accounts for over 95 percent of the country's walnut production. The crop condition is good this season, and an improvement in output is expected. Amidst various difficulties and challenges, the harvesting and processing of the new walnut crop have commenced in the state. Growers state that they are unable to secure attractive prices for their produce due to the massive import of cheaper walnuts from abroad. In many orchards, the walnut trees have aged significantly, leading to a decline in their productive capacity.

According to growers in Kupwara, while walnut production is expected to be better this year, Indian growers are failing to fetch high prices due to the continued large-scale import of cheaper walnuts from countries such as China, Chile, and the USA (California).

Official data indicates that Jammu and Kashmir produces approximately 3.50 lakh tonnes of walnuts annually, representing over 95 percent of the total national output. Commercial walnut cultivation takes place across an area of ​​nearly 89,000 hectares in the region. India ranks eighth globally in walnut production.

Anantnag is the leading walnut-producing district in Jammu and Kashmir, with an annual output of around 62,000 tonnes. This is followed by Pulwama district (36,400 tonnes) and Kupwara district (36,300 tonnes) in terms of average annual production.

It is believed that, alongside legal imports, significant quantities of walnuts enter India via smuggling routes along the Nepal border; these are much cheaper and are sold extensively in North Indian markets, causing difficulties for domestic growers.