Himachal apple growers oppose reduced import duty on New Zealand apples

Key Highlights

• Mr.
• Rathore said the reduced duty will cause a significant loss of market share for Indian apples and bring down prices, pushing apple growers – struggling with climate change-induced uncertainties, rising input costs, labour shortages, and shrinking margins – into deep economic distress.
• The leader said that the apple industry forms the “backbone of Himachal Pradesh’s rural economy” and contributes approximately ₹5,500 crore annually and supports over 1.5 lakh families, most of whom are small and marginal farmers.
• “The State produces around 6.5 lakh metric tonnes of apples every year, accounting for nearly 25% of India’s total apple production.
• With average landholdings of only one to two acres and limited scope for diversification due to the hilly terrain, apple cultivation remains the primary source of livelihood for these farmers,” he said.