Which city is known as the Apple City of India?

Every year, millions of delicious, red apples travel from a small destination tucked away in the Himalayan hills to markets across India.

Surrounded by pine forests, mountain slopes and endless orchards, this town became so deeply associated with apple cultivation that it eventually earned a title recognised across the country - the “Apple City of India”.

Any guesses as to which destination are we referring to? Well, drumrolls, please! We are talking about Kotgarh.

Why Kotgarh is called the Apple City of India?

Just like how Vazhakulam is called the Pineapple City of India, and Mahabaleshwar is known as the Strawberry City of India, Kotgarh amasses attention as the Apple City of India as it is blessed with a cool climate and fertile land, making it fit for apple cultivation.

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For the uninitiated, this gorgeous region in the Shimla district of Himachal Pradesh is considered the birthplace of commercial apple cultivation in India. It rose to prominence in the early 20th century when American missionary Samuel Evans Stokes introduced high-quality apple varieties to the area.

Over time, cultivation spread to neighbouring regions such as Shimla, Kinnaur and Kullu, helping Himachal Pradesh emerge as one of India’s leading apple-producing states.

Why Kotgarh is famous for its apple cultivation

As aforementioned, Kotgarh’s geographical conditions make it especially suitable for apple farming. The high altitude, cold winters and moderate summers provide the chilling temperatures necessary for producing quality apples.

The region is known for orchards filled with varieties such as Red Delicious and Royal Delicious, which are transported to markets across India during harvest season.

Apple cultivation today remains the backbone of the local economy, supporting thousands of farmers, traders and transport workers in the surrounding hills.

The apple varieties you can find in Kotgarh

Among the most widely grown varieties are Red Delicious and Royal Delicious, recognised for their deep red skin and sweet flavour. Farmers in the region also cultivate Golden Delicious, known for its yellow-green colour and mildly sweet taste.

Other varieties commonly grown include Rich-A-Red, Gala, Fuji and Granny Smith apples. In recent years, orchard owners have also introduced newer high-yield and climate-resilient varieties to improve production and fruit quality.

Why Kotgarh when several other Indian states also produce apples?

Although apples are now grown in several Indian states, Kotgarh continues to hold historical importance as the place where India’s apple-growing journey began on a commercial scale.

Its contribution to horticulture and rural livelihoods has ensured that the title “Apple City of India” remains firmly linked to this small Himalayan town.