Suhail Bhat
Srinagar, Dec 26: Apple growers in Kashmir expressed concern that low-duty imports of apples from New Zealand could hurt local produce, particularly apples stored in controlled atmosphere facilities (CA) across the Valley, and urged the Central government to intervene.
The concern followed a Free Trade Agreement between India and New Zealand, under which import duty on New Zealand apples was reduced from 50 percent to 25 percent under a tariff rate quota between 1 April and 31 August, a period when apples, especially those stored in controlled atmosphere cold stores, were released into markets across India. Growers feared that cheaper imports could destabilise domestic prices and threaten livelihoods.
A fruit grower from South Kashmir said local producers were already under pressure. “I requested the government not to allow apples from New Zealand, as it would affect growers in Kashmir. Last season we suffered heavy losses due to highway blockades and bad weather,” he said.
Farmers also pointed to rising competition from imports from Iran and Afghanistan, in addition to apples entering India from countries such as the United States and Turkey. Under the Free Trade Agreement, New Zealand was allowed to export more than 30,000 metric tonnes of apples to India in the first year at concessional duty, with volumes set to increase in subsequent years. “Unchecked imports could erode farm incomes in apple-growing regions like Kashmir. The agreement needs to be reviewed,” another grower said.
Particular concern surrounded apples stored in controlled atmosphere facilities, which were sold during the off-season to fetch better prices. Kashmir had nearly 60 functional controlled atmosphere storage facilities, which together held around 300,000 apple crates, roughly 5,000 metric tonnes, stored during the harvest season.