The Union Government decision to relax import restrictions on apples through various sea ports in the country is likely to hit Kashmir apple industry with local stakeholders here claiming the move will cause a whopping Rs 400 crore loss to the Valley.
The government of India earlier used to allow import of apples through only one sea port of Maharashtra, but now it has decided to allow inbound shipments of the fruit through sea ports and airports in Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai and Cochin. It has also permitted imports from land port and airport in Delhi besides land borders.
The move as per the fruit dealers would have a serious impact on the Kashmir apple industry.
“On an average we export apples worth Rs 4,000-Rs 5,000 crore to outside state. The decision of the central government will badly affect our apple trade and would reduce our turnover by a huge margin,” president All Kashmir Fruit Growers cum Dealers Association, Bashir Ahmad Basheer, said.
He explained that earlier apples from foreign countries like USA, China, Chile, Afghanistan, Iran, etc., were imported only through NhavaSheva port in Maharashtra. “That was not a big threat for us. But now government has opened all ports and airports which means foreign apples will be cheaper than ours as a result of which our trade will be drastically hit,” he said.
He said this year due to centre government’s decision, Kashmir apple sector is estimated to suffer a loss Rs 400 crore as the rate of apples has reduced much to the dismay of local growers.
“Fruit dealers have kept apples in CA stores in order to sell them during this season as earlier it used to fetch them good prices,” Basheer added.
President, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mushtaq Ahmad Wani said: “The state government should take up this matter with the central government so that the future of Kashmir horticulture sector is not jeopardized,” he said.
Apple is the most heavily consumed imported fruit in India. India is world's third-largest producer of apples. Apple production in the country is limited to the hilly states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Source :greaterkashmir.com
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