Though we will not get a bumper harvest, it will certainly help the crop mature fast.'

The total production this season will be around 18 million boxes of 25 kg each, considerably less than last year's 26 million crates, Singh said.

The maximum output - of 28.6 million crates - was recorded in 2006-07.

State Horticulture Minister Narender Bragta said 25 lakh (2.5 million) boxes of apples have been transported out of the state so far. In the previous year, over 75 lakh (7.5 million) boxes had been despatched.

'We have reports of a bad harvest in various areas, but the farmers are getting record prices, which will definitely compensate their losses,' the minister said.

The new apple crop from Himachal Pradesh is still selling at Rs.50-70 a kg in the wholesale market at Azadpur in New Delhi, said Bhagwan Dass of Bhagwan Dass and Co.

'The time the prices are quite high due to low output in Himachal Pradesh. Even the undersize fruit is getting good prices. The rates may fall when apple arrival from Kashmir begins in September,' he added.

State Chief Secretary Asha Swaroop said the loss to the horticulture sector alone is more than Rs.250 crore (Rs.2.5 billion) this year.

Apple-procuring agencies like Container Corporation of India, Adani Agri Fresh and Dev Bhumi Cold Chain are yet to start buying fruit aggressively.

Himachal Pradesh is one of India's major apple-producing regions, with over 200,000 families engaged in the cultivation of the fruit.

The fruit economy of the state is around Rs.2,000 crore and is flourishing mainly in Shimla, Kullu, Mandi, Lahaul and Spiti, Kinnaur and Chamba districts.

Besides apple, other fruits like pears, peaches, cherries, apricots, kiwi, strawberry, olive, almonds and plums are the major commercial crops of the state.