SHIMLA
A new trade deal between India and New Zealand has sparked deep fear among apple growers in Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir, and Uttarakhand.
The agreement, signed this week, cuts the tax on imported apples in half, dropping it from 50% to 25%. Local farmers worry this will flood the market with cheaper fruit, ruining their livelihoods.
Under the new rules, India will allow thousands of tons of New Zealand apples to enter the country between April and August. This timing is a major concern because it overlaps with when Indian farmers sell their own harvest. Leaders from the Congress party have flagged the issue, noting that local growers already struggle with high costs and unpredictable weather. They argue that competing with New Zealand, a global leader in apple farming, is an unfair fight for Indian families who have much smaller farms.
In Himachal Pradesh alone, over two lakh families depend on apples for their income. While the government has set a minimum price for imports to protect locals, many feel it isn’t enough. Critics point out that New Zealand farms produce nearly ten times more fruit per acre than those in the Himalayas.
Growers are now calling on the central government to create stronger safety nets. They are asking for strict monitoring of imports to ensure local prices don’t crash. Without help, many fear that the backbone of the hill economy could collapse, leaving thousands of rural workers without a way to support their families.