NEW DELHI: In the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, apple growers have demanded an increase in the import duty on apples, because large-scale apple imports are adversely affecting their business. The Union government have declined their request, saying the duty can be increased no further.
The state’s apple industry is estimated to be worth around Rs 35 billion. In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, president, fruits, vegetables and flower growers association, Harish Chauhan said Himachal is one of the major apple producing states in India and the fruit should be included as a special product to enhance import duty.
In response, the Union ministry of commerce and industry made it clear that import duty in India is already at its maximum (50%). According to the ministry, the ongoing Doha round of negotiations accords benefits to ‘special products’ and if apples are included in the category, growers would stand to gain.
Last year in July, Union health minister J P Nadda requested the Union minister of state for commerce Nirmala Sitaraman include apples in the special products category and increase tariff on imported apples within the framework of WTO rules. He said this would protect domestic apple growers facing competition from China.
