Fruit growers express concern over import duty cut on American Apple

Srinagar, July 04: Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union on Tuesday expressed serious concern and displeasure over the Government of India’s decision to slash down import duty on Washington Apple from 70 to 50 percent.
The Valley Based Fruit Growers/Dealers, an elected apex body of all Fruit Associations of the Valley said they fear that 20 percent reduction in import duty will significantly increase import of Washington Apple in Indian markets, shrinking the space for domestic produce of Apple.
Bashir Ahmad Basheer, Chairman, Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union said in fact 22 lakh metric tons exclusively of Apple crop is produced in the valley and about 70 percent of households in J&K are directly or indirectly dependent on this sector.
“More so the Apple industry is the backbone of J&K’s economy. The Washington Apple is a high-quality fruit. The 70% import duty pushed it into a different league where it did not compete with the premium of Indian Apple,” he said.
Bashir said however with reduction in import duty it will severely hit the domestic Apple in Indian Markets.
The Valley Based Fruit Growers /Dealers who had suffered heavy losses since the last several years constantly due to one or the other reason are now afraid of starvation in case the government’s decision of slashing down the import duty to extent of 20 percent on Washington apple is not called back.
“We request Lieutenant Governor J&K, Additional Chief Secretary/ Financial Commissioner, Agriculture/Horticulture Production Department to kindly take up the matter with concerned quarters of Government of India for immediate rolling back the import duty on Washington Apple in the interest Horticulture Industry of JK (UT) in general and Fruit Growers/Dealers of the Valley in particular,” he said.
The farmers and dealers are already in distress due to hail storms and heavy rains this year which has caused damage to fruit and many diseases like leaf miner and scab have occurred in orchards.
“This year is very difficult for us as we have suffered more damage. Last year also we got low rates after harvesting. The apple industry is suffering badly and farmers are in distress,” said Nazir Ahmad, an apple grower from Sopore.
In September last year, fruit growers were angry after the Bangladesh government hiked the export duty on Kashmiri apples by more than 28 percent.