Himachal CM Urges PM to Raise Import Duty on Turkish Apples

Himachal Pradesh's Chief Minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has formally requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to double the import duty on Turkish apples to protect local farmers. With apple imports from Turkey rising sharply, Sukhu emphasizes the need for quantitative restrictions to safeguard the livelihoods of apple growers in the region. The apple industry is vital to the state's economy, supporting thousands of families and generating significant employment. Sukhu plans to address this issue directly with the Prime Minister during his upcoming visit to Delhi, highlighting the urgency of policy changes to ensure the sustainability of apple cultivation in the hills.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 22, 2025, 12:18 IST

Call for Increased Import Duties

Shimla: The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, has reached out to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting an increase in the import duty on apples from Turkey from the existing 50% to a minimum of 100%.

This action, he argues, is crucial for protecting local apple farmers, especially those in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu & Kashmir, from the rising tide of cheaper imported apples.

In his correspondence, Sukhu also called for the implementation of quantitative restrictions on apple imports, cautioning that the unrestricted influx of Turkish apples is adversely affecting the livelihoods of local horticulturists and diminishing the competitiveness of Indian apples in the market.

Impact of Turkish Apple Imports

Threat to Local Producers

Sukhu highlighted that Himachal Pradesh, known as the 'Apple Bowl of India', produces high-quality apple varieties that contribute approximately Rs 4,500 crore to the economy annually. The apple sector supports over 250,000 families and generates nearly 1 million mandays of employment each year.

He expressed alarm over the significant increase in apple imports, which surged to 519,000 metric tonnes in 2024, a stark rise from just 1,100 metric tonnes in 1998. Notably, 117,000 metric tonnes, or 23% of total imports, originated from Turkey, continuing an upward trend from the record 129,000 metric tonnes in 2023.

“The influx of Turkish apples poses a grave risk to small and marginal farmers in Himachal Pradesh,” the Chief Minister stated, emphasizing that the low-cost foreign apples are disrupting the local market.

Commitment to Local Farmers

Meeting with the Prime Minister

Reiterating his dedication to the apple growers of the state, CM Sukhu mentioned that he would discuss this issue directly with Prime Minister Modi during his forthcoming visit to Delhi. He stressed that raising import duties and imposing quantity restrictions are essential for ensuring the economic sustainability of apple farming in the region.

In closing, the Chief Minister emphasized that the apple industry is not only crucial for the state's economy but also integral to the socio-economic structure of hill agriculture. He called for a significant policy change to safeguard the livelihoods of countless Indian farmers.

Author

Pallavi Sharma