Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], July 5: Apple growers in Himachal Pradesh have expressed cautious optimism over the Centre’s decision to raise the Minimum Import Price (MIP) for imported apples from Rs 50 per kg to Rs 80 per kg, but warned that without strict enforcement, the move will fail to protect domestic farmers from cheap imports.
Harish Chauhan, Convener of the Himachal Pradesh Samyukt Kisan Manch, told ANI, “We welcome the government’s decision, but unless the new MIP is enforced strictly on the ground, it will not benefit apple farmers, as was seen in 2023-24.” He alleged that despite an MIP of Rs 50 last year, apples from Iran and Turkey were imported at rates below the threshold, harming local growers.
Chauhan emphasized that enforcing MIP at ports is essential to prevent Indian farmers, especially in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Uttarakhand, from suffering due to cheaper imports. He also voiced concerns over possible trade talks with the US, fearing that any move towards zero import duty on apples would undermine the purpose of the MIP and devastate domestic apple growers.
“There are discussions that might lead to duty-free imports of Washington apples. That would be an economic death warrant for farmers here,” Chauhan warned, urging the government to impose 100% import duty on apples, similar to India’s response to US tariffs in 2018.
Chauhan highlighted that India imports apples from over 44 countries, with Washington apples directly competing with premium Himachali varieties from Kinnaur, Shimla, and Mandi districts. The apple economy in Himachal Pradesh alone is valued at Rs 4,000-6,000 crore annually, and over 15 lakh families across Himachal, Jammu & Kashmir, and Uttarakhand depend on apple farming.
He also stressed that unless import barriers remain strong, cheap foreign apples will push premium Indian produce out of the market, endangering livelihoods.
On the ongoing harvest, Chauhan said early apple varieties have started arriving in Mandi district’s Karsog region, with an estimated yield of around 2.5 crore boxes this season. However, he raised concerns over nearly 450 roads blocked by rains, which could disrupt market access, calling for urgent government intervention to clear roads and ensure smooth transportation of the produce.
The Himachal Pradesh Samyukt Kisan Manch has already raised these issues with the State Secretariat and local authorities, Chauhan added.