Fruits and vegetables output records flat growth

NEW DELHI: The production of vegetables and fruits is marginally higher this year at 0.6% as compared to last year. According to the third advance estimate, the horticulture production is estaimated to be 313.85 million tonnes as against output of 311.71 million tonnes in 2017-18.

“The area under Horticulture Crops has remained broadly at the same level at around 25.5 million hectare, the rise in production is mainly due to productivity gains,” said an agriculture department official.

According to estimates, potato production is estimated to be around 53.03 million tonnes -3.4% higher than last year while tomato production is down by 1.8% at around 19.39 million tonnes.


“Overall increase is recorded in production of fruits, vegetables, spices, flowers and honey whereas downslide is observed in plantation, Aromatics and medicinal crops as compared to last year,” the official said.

The output of fruits is estimated to be around 98.57 million tonnes as against 97.36 million tonnes last year while vegetables production is estimated at 185.88 million tonnes - 0.81% higher than last year.

“The production of onion is estimated at 23.48 million tonnes - 0.95% higher than last year, while spices production is estimated to be around 9.22 million tonnes, which is higher than last year,” the official said.