Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging him to increase the import duty on apples from Turkey from the current 50% to at least 100%.
The move, he said, is essential to shield domestic apple growers, particularly in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu & Kashmir, from the surging influx of cheaper foreign produce.
In his letter, the Chief Minister also appealed for the imposition of quantitative restrictions on imported apples, warning that the unchecked import of Turkish apples is severely impacting the livelihoods of local horticulturists and undermining the competitiveness of Indian produce in the domestic market.
Turkish apple imports threatening local producers
Sukhu pointed out that Himachal Pradesh, often referred to as the ‘Apple Bowl of India’, produces premium varieties of apples that generate nearly Rs 4,500 crore in annual revenue.
The apple industry, he added, supports over 2.5 lakh families and creates nearly 10 lakh mandays of employment every year.
He expressed concern over the sharp rise in apple imports, which soared to 5.19 lakh metric tonnes in 2024, up dramatically from just 1,100 metric tonnes in 1998. Of this, 1.17 lakh metric tonnes, or 23% of total imports, came from Turkey alone, marking a continued increase after the record 1.29 lakh metric tonnes in 2023.
“The surge in Turkish apple imports poses a serious threat to small and marginal growers in Himachal Pradesh,” the Chief Minister wrote, adding that the low-priced foreign apples are disrupting the domestic market.
CM to press demand during meeting with PM in Delhi
Reaffirming his commitment to the state’s apple orchardists, CM Sukhu said he would personally raise the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his upcoming visit to Delhi.
He emphasised that an increase in import duties, alongside restrictions on quantity, is crucial to maintaining the economic viability of apple cultivation in the hills.
The Chief Minister concluded his appeal by underlining that the state’s apple industry is not only vital to its economy but also central to the socio-economic fabric of hill agriculture. A decisive policy shift, he said, is needed to preserve the livelihoods of lakhs of Indian farmers.
Pallavi Sharma
