KEY POINTS
- Saspolo apple defines Pari Valley’s heritage and agricultural identity.
- Pari’s soil and climate create uniquely sweet, aromatic apples.
- Kharmang district runs four nurseries, one for Saspolo apples.
- Limited nursery output fails to meet local farmers’ demand.
- Training sessions boosted yield by 25–30 per cent since 2019.
- Farmers face post-harvest losses due to lack of cold storage.
- Climate change threatens irrigation as glaciers recede in Baltistan.
- Experts see vast export potential if branding and storage improved.
SKARDU, Pakistan: In the breathtaking valley of Pari — approximately 260 kilometres southeast of Gilgit city and near the Line of Control with Indian Illegally Occupied Ladakh — grows a fruit that has come to define the region, the Saspolo apple.
Known for its rich aroma, vibrant hue, and exceptional sweetness, the Saspolo apple is more than just a fruit; it is a symbol of the people’s heritage, perseverance, and deep connection to their land.
Sweetness from the mountains
According to local accounts, the story of the Saspolo apple dates back to the colonial era. The elders of Pari brought saplings of this apple variety from Saspol village in Ladakh — around 430 kilometres northeast of Muzaffarabad, the capital of Azad Jammu & Kashmir — and planted them in Pari.
Over time, the fruit adapted perfectly to the soil and climate of the region, earning the name “Saspolo.”
Ghulam Abbas, a local historian from Pari, says that the Saspolo apple was first brought from Saspol, Ladakh, before 1947 by village elders and thrived in Pari’s soil and climate like a fish in water.
Pari’s soil naturally brims with potassium and organic matter, enhancing both sweetness and aroma in apples. The combination of intense sunlight during the day and cool mountain winds at night makes the Saspolo apple more colourful and flavourful than other varieties in the region.” — Sajid Hussain, Agriculture Research Officer, Kharmang
Agricultural experts say that Pari’s soil is rich in potassium, while the location — nestled against the mountains — provides intense sunlight during the day and cool temperatures at night.
This unique combination produces apples that are sweeter, more aromatic, and more vividly coloured than any other variety grown in Baltistan.
“Pari’s soil naturally brims with potassium and organic matter, enhancing both sweetness and aroma in apples. The combination of intense sunlight during the day and cool mountain winds at night makes the Saspolo apple more colourful and flavourful than other varieties in the region,” says Sajid Hussain, Agriculture Research Officer in Kharmang.
Potential and challenges
Deputy Director Agriculture in Kharmang, Imtiaz Ali, tells WE News English that the annual production of Saspolo apples in Pari hovers between 200 and 250 tonnes.
About the area under cultivation, he explains that trees are scattered across individual farmlands rather than concentrated in orchards, “so the exact acreage is difficult to determine.”
Kharmang district has four government-run nurseries for fruit trees, one of which is specifically dedicated to cultivating the Saspolo apple variety.
Imtiaz Ali admits the outcome of these nurseries is not up to the mark. “Currently, the government nursery in Kharmang does not fully meet farmers’ demands due to limited plant production. To address this, the department is working on expanding nursery capacity, supplying high-quality apple saplings, and training nursery staff for improved propagation methods.”
We make jam and dried apple slices from Saspolo, but limited resources stop us from doing more. Nearly 60 per cent of our product goes to waste because we lack storage and processing facilities.” — Asqari Parvi, a farmer
He explains that Saspolo stands out among all apple varieties in Gilgit-Baltistan. “Its taste, fragrance, and colour are deeply intertwined with the region’s soil composition and sunlight intensity. We’re conducting training sessions and awareness programmes for local farmers and exploring ways to introduce this apple to other high-altitude areas of the region.”
The Agriculture Department launched Saspolo apple training sessions in 2019. So far, over 250 farmers have benefited. Results include a 25 to 30 per cent increase in production, improved fruit size and quality, and better pest and disease control through modern pruning and orchard management techniques.
Processing and storage woes
Despite the fruit’s uniqueness, local farmers face serious challenges in processing and marketing their product.
Asqari Parvi, a 70-year-old farmer from Pari village in Kharmang, says, “We make jam and dried apple slices from Saspolo, but limited resources stop us from doing more. Nearly 60 per cent of our product goes to waste because we lack storage and processing facilities.”
He adds that harvesting is no picnic — the trees are tall, and the proper tools are scarce. “There’s also a shortage of water. With government support and training, we could easily expand production and product variety.”
I had heard about the Saspolo apple from a Baltistani friend, but never tasted it before. The aroma of this apple is something I’d never experienced before, and the taste is simply unmatched. It’s honestly the best apple I’ve ever eaten.” — Asghar Ali, a tourist
It merits a mention that Pari Valley relies on glacial meltwater streams for irrigation. However, climate change and receding glaciers are tightening the screws on water availability.
The department has recommended lining water channels, adopting drip irrigation, and developing community reservoirs for efficient water use.
Showcasing local flavours
To promote this iconic fruit, the district administration and local community joined hands to organise the first-ever Saspolo Festival last month in Pari village. The aim was to put the apple on the map, both nationally and internationally.
Around 50 local apple growers turned up at the event, setting up stalls to display and sell fresh apples and homemade products such as dried slices and jams. The festival also drew domestic tourists, who praised both the event and the apple’s extraordinary flavour.
Asghar Ali, 33, came to the festival from Lahore. “I had heard about the Saspolo apple from a Baltistani friend, but never tasted it before.”
He says that last year he visited Skardu but missed the festival, but this time, he planned his trip around it — and it was worth its weight in gold.
“The aroma of this apple is something I’d never experienced before, and the taste is simply unmatched. It’s honestly the best apple I’ve ever eaten.”
The festival also brought local music, cultural performances, and traditional food stalls to the fore, turning it into a vibrant celebration of Baltistan’s heritage.
Locals say the collaboration between the community and the district administration rekindled hope for sustainable agricultural tourism in the area.
The key issues are the lack of cold storage facilities, proper packaging, and export certifications. Transportation from Baltistan is also expensive. If the government provides cargo incentives and supports training for farmers, Saspolo could become a major export product.” — Abbas Numbardar, Baltistan Chamber of Commerce
The Saspolo apple represents a rare agricultural gem in Baltistan — one that, with proper attention and investment, could yield substantial economic benefits.
Developing processing units, cold storage, branding, and export channels could transform this local delicacy into a world-renowned brand.
From local to global
According to Abbas Numbardar, a member of the Baltistan Chamber of Commerce, the Saspolo apples are currently sold mostly in Skardu and nearby towns, with smaller quantities reaching major cities across Pakistan.
He believes the fruit has tremendous export potential but faces challenges due to limited production.
“The key issues are the lack of cold storage facilities, proper packaging, and export certifications,” Abbas says.
“Transportation from Baltistan is also expensive. If the government provides cargo incentives and supports training for farmers, Saspolo could become a major export product.”
He further notes that commercial-scale production, certification, and branding are essential to establish Saspolo as a national and international brand. “Once the fruit becomes consistently available, investors will naturally flock to it,” he observes.
Abbas, who has been exporting local products from the region to both national and international markets, hopes that with proper attention and collaboration between the government and private sector, “the Saspolo apple could change the local farmers’ fortunes and put Baltistan firmly on the world map.”
