Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Dec 31: The Sopore Fruit Buyers Union today protested against the alleged import of Iranian apples via Afghanistan under the South Asian Free Trade Agreement (SAFTA) which as per them is damaging the Kashmir market.
Scores of growers gathered at Sopore’s Fruit and Vegetable Market where they were seen raising slogans in support of their demand.
They said that the influx of cheaper Iranian apples is affecting Kashmir’s horticulture sector, which comes at a time when fruit growers have already sustained losses due to the natural disasters and COVID restrictions.
“We have suffered significant losses as a result of the influx of Iranian apples, and the industry is in a state of crisis,” Mudasir Ahmad, the association’s president said while seeking LG Manoj Sinha’s interference into the matter to protect the interests of local apple growers.
Mudasir claimed that the ‘illegal’ import of Iranian apples has lowered the prices of Kashmiri apples as the imported apples are sold at a lower price. “The prices of Kashmiri apples have gone down, resulting in losses to us,” he said.
The traders demanded an immediate ban/ stoppage on the import of Iranian apples.
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