Among all the fruits commercially cultivated in Kullu district, apples are most widely grown and represent the most important commercial fruit crop. The cultivated apple area is 18,524 hectares. The annual apple production usually lies between 80,000 to 90,000 metric tons. Among all varieties, ‘Royal Delicious’ and ‘Red Delicious' are the market’s favourite owing to their lustrous red sheen which appeals to the Indian consumer.

We procure apples from the higher mountain ranges in Himachal Pradesh. We send out teams equipped with mobile apparatus to test the readiness of the farm for picking - field apples are checked randomly for size, crunchiness, sugar and starch content before being deemed fit for harvest. This is communicated to the farmers, who then harvest and brings their produce to our grading line.

techniques to minimise bruising due to contact. Apples are picked and stored in sheet-lined crates, instead of being heaped in a mound, before being brought to the factory. This prevents apples at the bottom of the heap from being crushed and the ones at the top from rolling off and getting marks and bruises.

Once apples are brought to the factory, they are washed and sorted according to colour and size, and are then stored in CA chambers. These apples then await the right time to be sent to the market. We use our Reefer vans to transport the apples from the warehouse to the wholesale markets and independent stores in order to maintain a strict control over handling and therefore, quality of produce. Aromatrix offer apple in different packaging in 5/4/3/2 Layer boxes and 6/9 piece shrink wrap.

for prolonged storage. Normal room air has an O2 concentration of about 21% and CO2 levels near 0.03 %. Low O2 (1-5%) and high CO2(1-6%) along with low temperature (1-5°C) levels slow the ripening process, stop the development of some storage disorders such as scald in apples and slows the growth of decay organisms. All of these effects increase storage life of fresh produce compared with conventional refrigerated stores. These facilities are recommended for the long term storage of fruits and vegetables like Apples, Pears, Kiwi, cabbage etc. for various time periods, up to 10 months.
Over the past few years, the use of Controlled Atmosphere technology has increased steadily in India, contributing significantly to extending the post harvest life and maintaining the quality of apples. This trend is expected to continue as technological advances are made in this field. In India, Aromatrix has done backward market linkage by directly procuring apple from farmers; this has helped farmers to get a good price for their crop at their door steps. Also, Aromatrix has a distributor network of retailers and other independent agents who help in quick delivery of quality apples at affordable prices to the consumer.

With Aromatrix Flora’s technology-driven business model, a lot has changed in favour of the farmers. All that a farmer has to do now is to take the produce to the Aromatrix Collection center which is in the heart of the fruit growing regions.

Aromatrix offers a very scientific and transparent system of procuring apples from farmers with no hidden charges, and immediate payment for apples bought. This has incentivised the farmers to adopt better cultivation and harvest practices, thereby resulting in better price realisations as well. With the setting up of this infrastructure, not only do farmers reap the reward of their year-long hard work, but consumers also get the benefit of quality apples at better prices apples for an extended period of the year.

Aromatrix is associated with more than 500 farmers, spread across 50 villages in Himachal Pradesh, India. This number grows each year as farmers see the benefits of dealing with our company. Looking at the pace at which farmers have embraced our company and practices, we are also incentivised to further improve the lot of the Himachali farmer.