Shimla, Aug. 29 -- The apple growers in Himachal Pradesh are facing a difficult season marked by a sharp decline in production, high input costs and uncertainty over market returns, even as premium apples are fetching relatively firm prices of up to Rs 3,000-3,500 per 20 kg box, farmers and traders said in Shimla on Saturday.

The growers said erratic weather during flowering, including unseasonal rain, hail and cold conditions, has severely affected fruit setting, particularly in the lower and middle belts, while even higher-altitude orchards have reported uneven production and poor fruit sizing.

Speaking to ANI at Dhalli Apple Fruit Market in Shimla, apple farmer Daulat Ram of Ratnari village of Shimla district said the crop was initia...