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Premium GI Tagged

Premium Harsil Apples

Authentic, high-altitude Himalayan apples from the Harsil Valley, known for their unique aroma and crisp sweetness.

About Harsil Apples

Harsil apples are premium, GI-tagged, and highly aromatic apples grown in the high-altitude Harsil Valley of Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, India. They are renowned for their distinct crisp texture and intense sweetness, often thriving in environments described as "mini Switzerland."

"Introduced by British settler Frederick Wilson, these apples have become a symbol of Himalayan quality and purity."

Key Varieties

Royal Delicious

The most prominent variety, known for its deep red colour, sweet flavour, and excellent texture.

Golden Delicious

Known for its light yellow-golden skin, sweet mild flavour, and crispness.

Gala / Scarlet Gala

Sweet, crunchy apples often characterised by striped or bright red skin.

Fuji / Red Fuji

A sweet and very crunchy variety that grows well in high-altitude environments.

Top Red & Star King

High-colouring, firm red varieties.

Early Sunbelly

A variety harvested earlier than the peak season.

Characteristics

  • High Altitude GeographyGrown at over 9,000 feet, which makes the apples firmer and gives them a superior, long-lasting shelf life.
  • Appearance & TextureKnown for being dark maroon, shiny, and tender with a Himalayan aroma.
  • Versatile UsePerfect for eating fresh, or processing into high-quality jam, juice, pickles, and cider.

Quality Grades

A Grade

Top quality, uniformly bright red; often Royal or Red Delicious.

B Grade

Good quality, slightly smaller or with minor skin blemishes.

C Grade

Used for processing into juice or jam due to size/defects.

Size & Weight Grades

Pack TypeDiameterPieces/Box
Small / Medium50–65 mm40+ pieces
Medium / Large65–85 mm30–40 pieces

Standard packaging ranges from 2.2kg to 5.5kg boxes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Harsil apples grow in the Bhagirathi valley of Uttarkashi at altitudes above 2,600 metres — significantly higher than most Himachal orchards. The extreme altitude, mineral-rich glacial soil and sharp day-night temperature variation produce apples with exceptional sweetness, intense aroma and a distinct flavour profile that Himachal varieties cannot replicate.
The primary varieties are Wilson Apple (named after British settler Fredrick Wilson who introduced apple farming to Harsil in 1840), Vance Delicious, Royal Delicious and Red Delicious. The Wilson Apple is the most prized and distinctive variety — a Harsil original not found anywhere else in India.
Harsil apple harvest runs from late September to November — later than Himachal Pradesh due to higher altitude. Peak harvest and best quality is typically October. Supply outside this window is not available as fresh fruit — processed products (juice, jam, chutney) are available year-round.
Size (65mm+ diameter for premium grade), colour (deep red blush coverage above 75%), Brix (sugar content — 14–16° Brix for premium), firmness, absence of surface defects and bruising. Full quality inspection report provided with every consignment.
Phytosanitary certificate, Certificate of Origin (Uttarakhand), quality inspection report, packing list and commercial invoice provided with every consignment. On request — organic certification, residue testing report and cold chain temperature log for premium buyers.
Standard export packing: 10 kg and 18 kg corrugated cartons with individual fruit wrapping and tray packing to prevent bruising. Pre-cooling before packing and refrigerated transport from orchard to port is essential — we manage the cold chain from Uttarkashi to the port of dispatch.
Minimum order is 1 MT for domestic bulk buyers and 5 MT for export consignments. Given the limited and seasonal nature of Harsil apple production, early advance booking before September is strongly recommended to secure allocation. Contact us in August to confirm your requirement for the October harvest.
Yes — Harsil apples are exported to Gulf countries (UAE, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait), Bangladesh and Nepal. European and Southeast Asian markets are emerging. All export consignments comply with destination country phytosanitary requirements. Given limited production volume, export allocations are reserved for confirmed buyers with advance booking.
30% advance against proforma invoice and 70% against scan copy of Bill of Lading — or Letter of Credit from any scheduled bank. For domestic bulk buyers, 100% advance is required given the seasonal and perishable nature of the product.
Shelf life is 60–90 days under controlled atmosphere storage (CA storage) at 0–2°C and 90–95% relative humidity. Without CA storage, shelf life is 30–45 days in standard cold storage. All consignments must remain in an unbroken cold chain from dispatch to delivery — we confirm cold chain capability before confirming large orders.

Global Market & Export

Key Importers

Dubai (UAE) is a major importer, where Harsil apples compete with premium varieties from the USA and Europe.

Domestic Presence

Strong demand in New Delhi, Mumbai, and Dehradun as a premium regional product.

The AgroRoots Advantage

We bridge the gap between high-altitude Himalayan orchards and global markets, ensuring authentic Harsil characteristics, superior taste, and premium organic standards for every buyer.