In Kashmir’s Shopian district, the apple orchards are part of an industry which accounts for three-quarters of the total apple production in India and supports the livelihood of 3.3 mln people in Jammu and Kashmir. This industry is now dealing with anxieties over illegally imported Iranian apples flooding the Indian market.
“Iranian apples are being imported first in Afghanistan and then these apples are being re-branded as Afghanistan-produced apples,” said Bashir Ahmad Basheer, chairman of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers-cum-Dealers Union, which represents all fruit traders’ associations in the region. He said trading agents and customers in Delhi’s Azadpur fruit mandi alerted them to the imports. “When a different type of apple consignment reaches the mandi, it is easily discernible to the people there.”
The colour and texture of the Iranian apple closely resembles the Kashmiri apple, which is famous for its juiciness and distinct flavour. Kashmiri horticulturists are worried about losing market share to the imported apple this year, because it is cheap.
“Since India and Afghanistan have a zero-import duty agreement, these apples are not taxed,” said Basheer. This brings down the cost of a box of 10 kg of imported apples by 250 rupees, he estimated. “So if a 10 kg-box of Kashmiri apple is sold at Rs 1,000 in New Delhi markets, the same quantity of Iranian apple will sell for only Rs 750 per box,” he said.
Traders protest
Fruit traders and growers in Kashmir were quick to react to the inflow of tax-free apples in Indian markets. Since last month, traders have held protests, met government officials, written letters to the central government and the union territory administration.
In the first week of February, a delegation of traders from Kashmir travelled to Delhi to meet government officials. “We went to at least 11 government departments which are involved in this industry and raised our concerns with them,” said Majid Aslam Wafai, President of the Jammu and Kashmir Apple Cold Store Association.
[ Rs100 = € 1.10 ]
Source: scroll.in
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