Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Dec 31: The Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union today urged the Union Government to roll back the reduction in import duty on New Zealand apples.
The Union warned that the move could severely impact domestic apple growers in J&K, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
In a representation addressed to Union Minister for Agriculture Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the apex body of fruit growers’ associations in the Valley expressed concern over the reduction of import duty on New Zealand apples from 50 percent to 25 percent under the Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
The Union said the decision has triggered anxiety among apple growers, who “fear a surge in cheaper imports will depress prices of locally produced apples.”
The growers’ body cautioned that the duty cut would not only increase imports from New Zealand but could also encourage other apple-exporting countries to seek similar concessions, further intensifying pressure on the domestic apple industry.
It noted that growers in Kashmir and Himachal had long been demanding a hike in import duty to enable them to compete with imported apples, but instead faced a reduction that threatens their livelihoods.
“The reduction in duty will make imported apples cheaper, leading traders to prefer them over Kashmiri apples, directly affecting market prices of local produce,” the Union said.
It added that small and marginal growers would be the worst hit.
It pointed out that growers are already grappling with rising input costs, erratic weather, pest attacks and transportation challenges.
The Union has appealed to the Centre to reconsider the policy decision, roll back the duty cut, and instead impose a 100 percent import duty on New Zealand apples under the FTA to safeguard the interests of domestic apple growers.
Follow our WhatsApp channel