National average rises to Rs 11,779 per quintal; extreme volatility seen in Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, and West Bengal

Wholesale apple prices across India witnessed significant volatility in March 2026, with the all-India average rising to Rs 11,779 per quintal, up from Rs 10,776.45 in February 2026 and Rs 10,119.73 in March 2025. The data reflects a market shaped by sharp regional divergences, supply constraints, and strong year-on-year inflation in several states.

Southern Markets Lead Price Surge

Among states, Tamil Nadu recorded the highest price at Rs 20,080.24 per quintal, followed by Kerala at Rs 17,869.32 and West Bengal at Rs 16,574.86. Assam (Rs 14,557.76) and Karnataka (Rs 14,104.49) also remained elevated, indicating strong demand in southern and eastern consumption hubs.

At the lower end, Uttarakhand reported the lowest price at Rs 5,984.79, followed by Madhya Pradesh at Rs 7,057.66 and Rajasthan at Rs 8,546.19, highlighting a wide pricing gap across regions.

Month-on-Month Volatility Signals Supply Disruptions

The most striking monthly movement was recorded in Kerala, where prices surged by 47.4 per cent—the steepest increase nationwide—suggesting acute supply tightness or demand spikes. NCT of Delhi followed with a sharp 34.9 per cent rise, while Telangana (15.6 per cent) and Uttarakhand (11.3 per cent) also posted strong gains.

Other notable increases included Himachal Pradesh (10.7 per cent), Gujarat (9.8 per cent), and Haryana (6.9 per cent), indicating strengthening price momentum across key northern and western markets.

However, declines were observed in Maharashtra (-6.2 per cent), Punjab (-3.3 per cent), West Bengal (-2.4 per cent), and Assam (-1.9 per cent), pointing to localized corrections or improved supply conditions.

Year-on-Year Trends Reveal Structural Shifts

On an annual basis, the data points to significant inflationary pressure in select states. Madhya Pradesh recorded an unprecedented 378.5 per cent increase—from Rs 1,475.00 in March 2025 to Rs 7,057.66 in March 2026—indicating a dramatic shift in market dynamics.

West Bengal also posted a substantial 60.4 per cent increase, while Punjab (34.3 per cent), Goa (21.8 per cent), and Karnataka (15.2 per cent) registered strong growth.

Conversely, some states saw price corrections compared to last year. NCT of Delhi recorded a 15.7 per cent decline, while Jammu and Kashmir (-4.2 per cent), Himachal Pradesh (-3.3 per cent), and Tamil Nadu (-2.9 per cent) also saw marginal drops.

Outlook: Fragmented Market Signals Continued Volatility

The March 2026 price trends underline a fragmented apple market, where regional supply-demand mismatches, logistics constraints, and consumption patterns are driving divergent price movements.

With demand expected to remain strong and supply chains adjusting post-harvest cycles, price volatility is likely to persist in the near term. For policymakers and stakeholders, the data reinforces the need for improved market intelligence, supply chain efficiencies, and regional balancing mechanisms to stabilize prices.