Overview
- Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu has formally written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting a doubling of import duties on Turkish apples from 50% to at least 100%.
- The Himachal Pradesh government is also advocating for quantitative restrictions on apple imports to safeguard the livelihoods of local growers.
- India imported 5.19 lakh metric tonnes of apples in 2024, with Turkey accounting for 23% of the total, raising concerns about the impact on domestic producers.
- Himachal Pradesh's apple industry generates ₹4,500 crore annually and supports over 2.5 lakh families, making it a critical economic driver for the state.
- The issue will be raised at a May 24 meeting, highlighting the growing urgency to address the surge in apple imports and its effects on local markets.