Srinagar, Dec 31: The Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union has urged the Union Government to reconsider its decision to reduce import duty on New Zealand apples from 50 per cent to 25 per cent under the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), warning that the move could severely impact domestic apple growers, particularly in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.
In a representation addressed to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the apex body of fruit growers said the decision has triggered serious concern among orchardists, who fear that cheaper imports will flood Indian markets and depress prices of locally produced apples.
The Union said that apple growers in Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh have been seeking an increase in import duty for years to protect domestic produce from foreign competition. However, the recent reduction, it noted, has instead strengthened imported apples’ market position, making it increasingly difficult for local growers to compete.
“The reduction from 50 per cent to 25 per cent has come at a time when farmers are already battling rising input costs, erratic weather, pest attacks and logistical challenges,” the representation stated. It added that the move could embolden other apple-exporting countries to seek similar trade concessions, further threatening the domestic horticulture sector.
The growers highlighted that the Valley’s apple produce is currently stored in cold storages and is expected to enter markets in the coming weeks. An influx of imported apples during this period, they warned, could lead to distress sales, severely affecting farmers’ incomes.
While clarifying that they are not opposed to international trade, the Union emphasised the need for protective safeguards for domestic producers. “The horticulture sector is the backbone of Jammu and Kashmir’s economy, providing livelihood to over seven lakh families. Kashmir is widely recognised as the ‘Fruit Bowl of Northern India,’ and its sustainability must be safeguarded,” the statement said.
The Union has urged the Union Government to roll back the reduced import duty and instead consider imposing a 100 per cent duty on New Zealand apples under the FTA to protect domestic growers. It has also appealed for urgent intervention to safeguard the interests of apple growers in Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
The representation has been forwarded to senior central and Union Territory authorities, including the Union Minister for Commerce, the Lieutenant Governor of Jammu and Kashmir, the Chief Minister, and senior Members of Parliament.
