Himachal Pradesh Urges Central Government to Raise Import Duty on Foreign Apples, Focusing on Washington Apples

01-07-2023 : The Himachal Pradesh government is actively advocating for the central government to raise the import duty on foreign apples, specifically focusing on Washington apples. According to Naresh Chauhan, the media advisor to the Chief Minister, the Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister is preparing to send a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting an increase in the import duty.

It was recently observed that the central government had reduced the import duty on foreign apples, prompting concerns from the Himachal Pradesh government. Himachal Pradesh is renowned as a major apple-producing state, with the highest apple production in the country. The apple industry in the state directly and indirectly supports around 1.5 lakh families or approximately seven lakh people across seven districts.

Chauhan emphasized that the state government’s primary objective is to foster the growth of the apple industry in Himachal Pradesh. In 2014, Prime Minister Modi made a commitment to promote apple farming and increase the import duty to 100 percent, ensuring a level playing field for domestically produced apples. However, the current import duty reduction has created a competitive disadvantage for the local apple industry, which struggles to compete with imported apples in the market.

Furthermore, Chauhan highlighted that during the Prime Minister’s visit to the United States, the import duty on Washington apples was lowered from 70 percent to 50 percent. This reduction further intensifies the challenges faced by the apple industry in Himachal Pradesh.

By urging the central government to increase the import duty on foreign apples, especially Washington apples, the Himachal Pradesh government aims to safeguard the interests of local apple farmers and protect the state’s thriving apple industry. The requested increase in import duty would not only ensure fair competition but also support the livelihoods of thousands of families involved in apple cultivation and related activities in the state.