Last Updated on December 16, 2021 at 12:54 pm
Kashmiri apple growers and traders have expressed their concern regarding the illegal import of Iranian apple which is being imported under the garb of Afghan apples through Wagah Border.
Apple growers and traders have urged the government to look into the matter and have sought the intervention of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
Iranian apples is slowly squeezing the Indian apples and leading to losses of apple growers of Kashmir.
Growers said that the large quantity of Iranian apples entering India was increasing by the day, which could eat into the Kashmiri apple’s market share in the coming years unless the imported fruit is taxed.
President, Kashmir fruit growers Union, Bashir Ahmad Basheer said that due to free trade agreement between Indian government and Afghanistan Iranian Apple via Afghanistan is imported by various traders and is illegally sold which incurs huge losses to local fruit growers.
He further said that it is unfortunate that the illegal and unlawful dumping of Iranian Apple by several fruit traders in our country is not only disastrous to the fruit Growers of Kashmir/ Himachal but also results in huge losses to the State Exchequer.
It has been demanded and urged to the government to protect the apple growers of Kashmir from the heavy losses which are incurring due to illegal import of apples and protect the State Exchequer.
