Kashmir fruit growers urge Centre to impose 100% duty on NZ apples

Srinagar, Dec 31: The Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union (KVFG) has sought immediate intervention from the Centre to roll back the duty cut on New Zealand apples, warning that the move threatens to devastate the horticulture sector in J&K and Himachal Pradesh.

In a formal representation to Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan dated December 30, 2025, the apex body of fruit growers expressed deep concern over the reduction of import duty from 50% to 25% under the Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

Threat to Cold Storage Stock The Union highlighted a critical timing issue: a significant volume of the Valley’s apple produce is currently stored in cold storage units. The letter, signed by Chairman Bashir Ahmad Basheer, argues that if cheaper imported apples flood the market now, domestic produce will be “pushed aside or sold at distress rates” to recover costs.

Demands for Protectionism Calling the horticulture industry the “backbone” of the J&K economy which supports over seven lakh families, the KVFG asserted that “safeguards are necessary to protect local farmers from unfair competition”. The Union has formally requested that the government consider imposing a 100% import duty on New Zealand apples rather than the current slashed rate.

The growers warned that this policy reduction would not only lower prices for local apples but also “embolden other countries” to seek similar trade deals, compounding the pressure on small and marginal farmers already struggling with input costs and climate challenges.