The Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union (KVFGDU) has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Agriculture Minister to intervene in order to curb the influx of imported apples, which they argue is jeopardizing the local fruit industry, Kashmir News Observer reported.
In letters sent separately to both officials, KVFGDU highlighted the growing concerns over the impact of imported apples on Kashmir’s horticulture sector, a crucial part of the region’s economy. The union emphasized that over 700,000 families depend directly or indirectly on the sector.
The letter to the Prime Minister stated, “India is one of the largest apple producers globally. However, the surge in imported apples is severely affecting fruit growers in JK, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, pushing small farmers to the edge. This influx is not only harmful to these farmers but is also causing significant revenue losses for the state.”
The union also pointed to the potential impact of the United States’ announcement to implement ‘Reciprocal Tariffs’ starting April 2, 2025. This decision would reduce import duties on Washington apples, further increasing the competition for local growers, particularly in Kashmir. They warned that this would lead to a flooding of the Indian market with U.S. imports, sidelining the region’s produce.
The letter also noted the challenges faced by Kashmir’s farmers, including political instability, the 2014 floods, and extreme weather conditions like hailstorms and heavy rains, which have devastated orchards.
KVFGDU urged the Prime Minister to protect the region’s fruit industry by imposing a 100% duty on Washington apples entering the Indian market instead of negotiating on the reciprocal tariffs. A similar request was made to the Union Agriculture Minister.
The Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union represents a wide array of fruit growers across the region, including areas such as Srinagar, Sopore, Baramulla, and Shopian, among others. – (KNO)
Author Profile
Latest entries
Photo / Meer Irfan~ TKBUSINESSMarch 13, 2025Imported apples put Kashmir’s fruit industry at risk, growers seek government help