Significant relief for Kashmiri fruit growers after India's government forbids the import of apples at below Rs. 50 per kilogramme

On May 8, Srinagar: The central government has banned the import of apples when the CIF (Cost, Insurance, and Freight) import price is less than or equal to Rs 50 per kilogramme, which is a huge relief for Kashmir's apple growers.

To protect the interests of the nation's apple growers, the central government altered its import regulations for apples and established a Minimum Import Price (MIP), which is a ceiling on import prices. This is an important step that will no doubt lift the spirits of Kashmir's apple farmers.

This choice was made in response to Iranian apple imports driving up the price of Kashmiri apples during the previous two years.

Fruit growers asserted that falling apple prices have forced many to convert their apple orchards to non-agricultural uses.

But, this modification to Apple's import policy has made an exemption. According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry's Directorate General of International Trade, Bhutan, a neighbour of India, is exempt from the new limitations.

In its notification, the DGFT made no mention of the necessity of changing Apple's import policy.

Yet, the decision has made apple farmers happy because their market share was being eaten away by cheap imports of apples that were poured into Indian markets.

According to Bashir Ahmad Basheer, chairman of the All Kashmir Fruit Growers Dealers Union, the judgement would be advantageous for apple growers.

According to him, local apple farmers suffered losses as a result of the price decline, but this ceiling will now guarantee that our product will gain a larger market share. Since many years ago, we have criticised how the inexpensive apples that were imported through Afghanistan caused a drop in apple prices.

Around 35 lakh individuals, or roughly 7 lakh farm households, are employed directly or indirectly by the horticultural business. Apples provide about 8% of the GDP of Jammu and Kashmir. higher than Fresh and dry fruit cultivation currently occupies more than 3.37 lakh hectares of land, with more land being added yearly. In the Valley, apples are produced on 1.68 lakh hectares of land and pears are planted on 14,161 hectares.larger than Fresh and dry fruit cultivation currently occupies over 3.37 lakh hectares of land, and each year, more space is added. Apples are grown on 1.68 lakh hectares of land by itself, whereas pears are grown on 14,161 hectares of land in the Valley.