The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging an increase in import duties on Turkish apples from 50% to at least 100%. This proposal aims to curb the influx of Turkish apples and safeguard the interests of domestic apple growers. Sukhu also recommended imposing quantitative restrictions on apple imports to maintain market stability.
Himachal Pradesh, often referred to as India's "apple bowl," generates significant revenue from apple cultivation, estimated at around $540 million annually. The apple industry in the state supports approximately 1 million workdays during the harvest season and provides direct and indirect employment to over 250,000 families.
India currently imports apples from more than 30 countries. In 2024, apple imports reached approximately 519,000 metric tons, a dramatic increase from just 1,100 metric tons in 1998. Sukhu's letter emphasized that Turkey's share of imports surged after 2020, peaking at 129,000 metric tons in 2023. In 2024, Turkish apples accounted for 23% of total imports, or roughly 117,000 metric tons.
This sharp increase has posed serious competition for local apple producers, affecting the economic stability of small-scale growers in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu and Kashmir. During his visit to New Delhi, Sukhu intends to raise the matter directly with the Prime Minister.
Source: Hindustan Times