Impact on Himachal Pradesh Apple Industry
Himachal Pradesh, renowned as a leading apple producer in India, is facing challenges due to rising apple imports from Turkiye. Following Turkiye’s recent political stance supporting Pakistan after the terror attack in Pahalgam, many Indians canceled their trips to Turkiye, and calls to ban apple imports from the country have intensified.
Rising Apple Imports from Turkiye
Data from the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCIS) reveals that India imported over 370,000 metric tons (MT) of apples worth more than $295 million between April and August 2023. This figure increased to nearly $400 million in the same period during the next fiscal year. Turkiye remains the top exporter, accounting for approximately 23% of India’s total apple imports last year.
Declining Local Production and Economic Concerns
Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh’s apple production dropped sharply by 28%, producing 484,000 MT in 2023 compared to 672,000 MT in 2022, according to the Economic Survey report. This decline, coupled with the surge in apple imports from Turkiye, threatens the local apple growers and the state’s reputation as India’s premier apple producer.
Government Action and Calls for Import Regulation
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has led demands to increase import duties on apples and has even proposed banning imports from Turkiye. Sukhu recently met with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to address these concerns and also requested raising the state’s borrowing limit by two percent to support local economic needs.
Looking Ahead
The Himachal Pradesh government aims to protect its apple growers and strengthen local agriculture by regulating imports and addressing trade imbalances. The potential duty hikes and import restrictions reflect broader efforts to safeguard domestic industries amid geopolitical tensions.
