On Monday, the Indian government announced a ban on the import of apples if the cost, insurance, and freight (CIF) price is less than or equal to Rs 50 per kg. The directorate general of foreign trade (DGFT) issued a notification to this effect.
The move is aimed at protecting the interests of Indian apple growers, who have been facing intense competition from cheaper imports in recent years. The government hopes that the ban will provide a level playing field for domestic producers by preventing the influx of low-priced apples from foreign countries.
India is one of the world’s largest apple producers, with the majority of the production taking place in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, and Uttarakhand. However, the country also imports a significant quantity of apples from other countries, including the US, China, and New Zealand.
The decision to impose the import ban comes after the government recently increased the import duty on apples to 70% from the earlier rate of 50%. The move was intended to discourage imports and boost domestic production.
The government has been taking several measures to promote the growth of the apple industry in India. In addition to increasing the import duty and imposing the new ban, the government has also launched several schemes to support apple growers, such as the ‘Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture’ (MIDH) and the ‘Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana’ (PMKSY).
The MIDH scheme assists apple growers in the form of subsidies for various activities such as setting up new orchards, improving irrigation facilities, and purchasing new equipment. Meanwhile, the PMKSY scheme aims to promote the processing and packaging of agricultural products, including apples, to help farmers get better prices for their produce.
The government’s efforts to boost the apple industry in India have yielded positive results in recent years. According to data from the National Horticulture Board, apple production in the country increased from 2.3 million tonnes in 2015-16 to 2.7 million tonnes in 2019-20. However, the industry continues to face challenges such as climate change, pests, and disease outbreaks.
