Universal cartons introduced, overweighing of boxes goes on

Despite the introduction of universal carton for standardised packaging of apple, there’s still some variation in the weight of apple boxes arriving for sale in market yards. The universal carton was supposed to cap the fruit weight at 22-24 kg per box, but boxes weighing 25-26 kg are also not uncommon in market yards. Some growers claim to have seen boxed weighing even 27-28 kg. In these overweight boxes, the flaps of the box are lifted up to adjust additional apple.

Advertisement

Suresh Kumar, a progressive grower and president of Himalayan Society for Horticulture and Agriculture Development, said the growers doing universal packaging were suffering losses due to overweight boxes. “I struggled to sell my produce as I had not given additional weight. The buyers were not even looking at my produce because of the overweight boxes available in the yard. Having endured this, even I will think of putting additional weight in the boxes next time,” he said. “Why is the government not monitoring the situation? Isn’t it the duty of the government and APMC officials to ensure proper implementation of universal packaging?” he asked.

Pawan Saini, secretary, APMC Shimla and Kinnaur, said the problem of overweight boxes was not rampant and most growers were filling up boxes as per the guidelines. “Besides, apple is now coming to the market from high-altitude orchards. This apple is relatively heavier. So, some increase in weight could be attributed to it as well,” he said. “It’s the first year of universal carton and some teething problems were bound to crop up. We have taken note of it, and the process next year will be smoother,” he said.

Lokinder Bisht, president of the Progressive Growers Association, said over-packaging becomes rampant when the markets crash. “When growers do not get proper price for their produce, they tend to put more weight in the box to attract buyers. It can only be checked with proper monitoring in the market yards by the authorities concerned. The buyers will have no choice but to buy standard boxes if all growers follow the norms,” he said. “And it’s possible only if there’s strict monitoring in the market yards to check over-packing,” he said.