Shimla, Oct. 9 -- The Revenue, Horticulture and Tribal Development Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Jagat Singh Negi, on Friday said apple production in the state had declined significantly this season, with only around 1.30 crore boxes reaching the market, compared with more than 2.25 crore boxes last year.

Addressing the media in Shimla, Negi attributed the decline to adverse weather conditions, including inadequate chilling hours, cold weather during flowering, unseasonal rainfall, hailstorms in some areas and drought in others.

"Apple production has been much lower this year than last year. As of today, only around 1.30 crore boxes have reached the market, compared with more than 2.25 crore boxes last year," Negi said.

He said the tot...