India’s decision to cut apple import duties threatens IIOJK’s apple industry
Srinagar: Apple growers across Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir have expressed deep concern over the Indian government’s decision to reduce customs duties on apples imported from New Zealand, saying the move could severely hurt local apple prices, jeopardize their livelihoods, and deepen the already precarious situation faced by the territory’s vital apple industry.
According to Kashmir Media Service, Kashmir Valley’s apple growers fear that the entry of cheaper imported apples will flood the market just when they are preparing to release their produce, driving prices down and further undercutting the local industry.
Bashir Ahmad Basheer, President of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union, expressed frustration at the recurring challenges faced by local apple farmers. “Every year, we face new threats to our industry. This year, it’s New Zealand apples. Earlier, we’ve seen imports from Iran, the United States, and other countries. Each time, it gets harder to compete,” he said.
Basheer said that the cumulative impact of such imports has been damaging for local growers. “The reduction in customs duty will make imported apples cheaper, and traders naturally prefer them. This directly affects the pricing of our apples in the market,” he added.
For Kashmir’s apple farmers, already grappling with high production costs, unpredictable weather, pest attacks, and a broken supply chain, this could be the final blow. Most of the apples from the Kashmir Valley are now in cold storage, waiting to be sold. A grower from Shopian explained, “We were hoping for fair prices when the cold storage facilities open, but if cheaper imported apples flood the market, our produce will either go unsold or be sold at distress prices.”
Kashmir’s apple industry is a cornerstone of the region’s economy, directly and indirectly supporting millions of people. From orchardists to transporters, everyone depends on the seasonal harvest. A grower from Sopore shared his concern: “This policy hurts more than just farmers. It impacts every worker, laborer, and trader who is part of this industry. If the prices collapse, the whole apple economy could collapse with it.”
Basheer stressed that while trade is essential, it must not come at the expense of Kashmir’s agricultural base. “We’re not against imports or international trade. But the government must balance its commitments to foreign trade with the protection of domestic industries. If we keep opening our markets to unfair competition, we’ll see the collapse of the apple industry in Kashmir,” he said.
The apple trade in IIOJK is not just an agricultural activity but the backbone of the territory’s rural economy. Any disruption to this vital industry would have a ripple effect across the entire Valley, with long-lasting economic and social consequences. Farmers warned that continued policy neglect could push many orchardists into financial distress.
