Indian apple production has hit an all time low at less than 13 million 24 kg boxes (312,000 metric tons) this season due to bad weather, website Fnbnews.com reported.

Volumes were less than a third of the previous year's record 44.6 million boxes, or 1.1 million metric tons (MT).

Himachal Pradesh Horticultural Produce, Marketing and Processing Corporation (HPMC) managing director Madan Chauhan, said crop failure was due to too much rain, particularly in hilly regions.

"April is the peak for apple crops, as they need low temperatures, enough sunlight and a warm climate," he was quoted as saying.

He said the northern state of Himachal Pradesh generated about 3,500 crore (US$680 million) of the country's total revenue from apple production.

He added this year's production decline from the state, which is a key apple growing area with nearly seven million people and one of the highest per capita incomes in India, would affect the economy and also lead to a fall in processed apple products,

Chaudan added other major apple producing countries like Europe and China had also experienced reduced production due to unprecendented weather changes.

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