Apple and walnut growers in Kashmir express concern as the Trump administration enforces a 27% import duty on Indian goods, citing India's high tariffs on U.S. products. This adjustment raises fears that India may reduce its import duties on items like apples and walnuts to secure a favorable trade agreement with the U.S., potentially affecting Kashmir's horticulture sector.
Bashir Ahmad Basheer, president of the Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union (KVFGU), highlights the risk of cheaper Washington apples entering Indian markets, which could impact local growers. Basheer states, "We have faced natural disasters and political unrest with remarkable resilience," and warns that this trade policy shift could severely impact the industry.
The KVFGU, representing growers from regions including Srinagar, Sopore, and Baramulla, has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to resist U.S. pressure to lower tariffs. Instead, they demand an increase to 100% on Washington apples to protect domestic growers. Basheer warns, "the backbone of Kashmir's economy could snap irreparably."
Kashmir's apple orchards, spanning thousands of acres, support numerous workers. The U.S. tariff increase on Indian goods has already strained trade relations, with India threatening to retaliate by raising tariffs on U.S. products. The potential reduction in duties on U.S. agricultural imports now poses a challenge to Kashmir's horticulture sector, which seeks urgent protection.
Wahid Ahmad, a farmer from Shopian district, emphasizes the cultural significance of apple farming and walnut cultivation, stating, "Generations of Kashmiris have been into apple farming and walnut cultivation. It is not only about money but about our survival."
Source: Deccan Herald