The Bhutanese Leading the way.
4,314 MT of apples exported in 1996 dropping to 1,622 MT by 2023
The apple industry in Bhutan, concentrated in key areas like Bumthang, Paro, Thimphu, and Haa, is currently facing multiple challenges, from climate change to market fluctuations. The overall production and export trends indicate a slow decline, raising concerns among stakeholders.
Over the last few years, apple production has remained relatively steady, but with a subtle downward trend. According to the National Statistical Bureau (NSB), the total production was 2,324 metric tonnes (MT) in 2021, decreasing marginally to 2,317 MT in 2023. A concerning statistic revealed that only 67 percent of apple trees are bearing fruit despite the country boasting more than 190,000 trees.
Apple farming in Bhutan is increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The shifting climate has led to changes in suitable growing areas, with predictions that current prime apple-producing regions will lose over 15,000 acres of suitable land by 2050, according to a study conducted by Phuntsho and Dorji (2018).
Alongside this, the rise in pests and diseases has added to the difficulties faced by farmers.
A farmer from Paro said, “Before, we used to lease our orchards to contractors who would pick large quantities of apples. But now, we’re left with just a few crates to sell. We ask them to pick and take themselves. Our apple trees are starting to die, much like the orange trees in the south.”
According to officials from the Department of Agriculture (DoA), currently some common pests are wholly aphids, European red spider mites, and apple fruit beetles. Apple rust, apple scab, sooty blotch, and blossom blight constitute the major diseases.
In response to these challenges, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MoAL) has introduced several initiatives to build resilience among apple farmers. Efforts include promoting climate-smart technologies, protected cultivation, and the supply of better-quality seedlings through the Million Fruit Tree Plantation program.
DoA said there are technologies to cultivate the fruit under protected cultivation (yet to be taken up by the farmers). Efforts are also made to help farmers grow organically and expand area of cultivation to where apple was previously not grown.
“We are supporting farmers by providing training, skill development, and access to climate-smart technologies. This helps them adapt to changing conditions and improve their yields,” said an official from DoA.
In 2023, approximately 70 percent of Bhutan’s apple production, equivalent to 1,622 MT, was exported, generating Nu 51.65 million in revenue. India remains the largest importer, accounting for 73 percent of Bhutan’s apple exports, while efforts are underway to expand into new markets such as Thailand, where the focus is on exporting Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) certified apples.
DoA said that despite the strong export numbers, the low fruit consumption habits among Bhutanese people have led to an imbalanced diet domestically. This is an area where policy intervention and awareness campaigns are necessary to boost local consumption and improve nutrition.
Officials from DoA said that the apple farmers and exporters in Bhutan are highly sensitive to price fluctuations. As with many agricultural products, when supply increases, prices tend to drop. This instability has made it difficult for smaller producers to remain competitive, especially as fruit quality often deteriorates due to various factors, including poor post-harvest handling and pest infestation.
In efforts to improve the sustainability and quality of apple farming, MoAL has partnered with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) on the Integrated Temperate Fruit Crop Promotion Project. The initiative is focused on researching new apple varieties and building human resource capacity in crop production, pest and disease management, and quality seedling production.
This will ensure that Bhutanese apples meet international standards, critical for maintaining export competitiveness. Quality control is overseen by the Bhutan Food and Drug Authority, which follows the Standard for Apple Quality that governs sizing, packaging, and export standards.
Additionally, certificates such as the phytosanitary certificate, fit for human consumption certificate, and non-radioactive certificate are issued as required by importing countries.
While the quality assurance process is in place, Bhutan has yet to develop a strong branding strategy for its apples in foreign markets, which could help differentiate its products from global competitors.
Perhaps the most striking trend is the long-term decline in apple exports. In 1996, Bhutan exported 4,314 MT of apples; by 2023, that figure had dropped to 1,622 MT.
The official from DoA said, “This could be due to several factors causing the decline. Some of the major reasons are loss of agricultural land (apple orchards) to other developmental activities, degeneration of the crop variety, the effect of climate change (loss in pollinator population due to the adoption of conventional farming where chemicals are applied indiscriminately), and shift of profession (decline in people doing agriculture) due to better opportunities.”
