India’s federal government’s decision to relax 20% customs duty on apples imported from the US at the recently concluded G-20 summit left Kashmir Valley growers nervous. The announcement has come in the wake of a dip in apple prices this year. Also, Kashmir’s apple industry is battling a number of issues.
PDP president Mehbooba Mufti said the move 'will have a devastating effect on local growers in J&K already grappling with huge losses post 2019'. “[I] hope the Prime Minister’s Office reconsiders,” Ms. Mufti added. J&K produces over 73% of the total apples grown in the country. Official data show apple production in Kashmir crossed 2 mln tons in 2022, and is likely to touch 2.2 mln tons in 2023.
Source: thehindu.com