Lassipora, located in South Kashmir, becomes a bustling hub of activity even at midnight during the apple harvest season. This region, anticipated to be India's largest apple industry cluster, faces unique challenges in 2023 due to low apple production in Himachal and Kashmir. Mechanical grading and packing processes are gaining popularity, saving time and ensuring efficiency. The cold storage chain in Kashmir is expanding rapidly, with investments exceeding Rs 2500 crore. However, investors face issues with subsidy disbursement, expansion limits, and high credit costs. The cold chain has helped manage apple supply and demand effectively, encouraging retention of quality produce for later market sales. Future investments should consider infrastructure-deficient areas and smaller facilities within orchards.