Himachal News: Himachali Apple Growers Suffer Loss of Crores of Rupees Due to Cheap Iranian Apples
Himachali Apple - Photo: Diary Times
- Himachal Apple: Iranian Apple Brought Down The Price Of Himachali Apple, Farmers Suffered A Loss Of Rs 800 Per Box.
Cheap apples from Iran, which are being supplied to India illegally, have brought down the prices of Himachali apples. Due to Iranian Apples being cheaper, Himachali apples are not getting good prices. Condition of Himachali apple has deteriorated so much that the Himachali apple which was sold for Rs 2000 a box during the season in July-August, is now being sold for Rs 1500 a box after being removed from the cold store.
Due to falling prices of Himachali apples, the gardeners of the state are facing a loss of more than Rs 800 per box. Let us tell you that about Rs 300 per box has to be spent to store apples. Every year around one crore boxes of Himachali apples are stored.
Cheap Iranian apples are reaching India illegally through Afghanistan. Due to SAFTA (South Asian Free Trade Area), Iranian apples are reaching India without paying duty. Also, due to low cost, Iranian apple is cheaper in the market.
According to the information, a box of Iranian apples is being sold at a price of Rs 1,000 to 1,200. Due to Iranian apples being cheaper, Himachali apples are not getting fair prices.
Every day 15 to 20 AC containers of Iranian apples are reaching Azadpur Mandi in Delhi. Influx of Iranian apples is also increasing in the markets of South India. Buyers are also getting Iranian apples at cheap prices.
However, premium apples of private companies are getting good prices in the fruit markets.
Adani, Bija, Devbhoomi and other apple companies had purchased premium apples on the basis of kilos from the gardeners during the season. Now private companies are getting good prices for fruits and apples.
Prashant Batra, MD of Shivbhola & Company of Azadpur Fruit Market, Delhi, told Diary Times correspondent Kumud Sharma that apart from Delhi, Iranian apples are reaching all the other markets of the country in large quantities.
Due to low demand and poor quality, Himachali apples kept in stores are getting low prices.
Himachali apples suffer loss worth crores of rupees due to Iranian apples reaching India: Lokendra Singh Bisht
Due to Iranian apples, Himachali apples kept in the stores by the gardeners are not getting the right price. Iranian apples are reaching India illegally at low cost without paying import duty. Demand to stop illegal import of Iranian apples has been made to the Central Government many times before, but no concrete steps are being taken by the Central Government. Iranian apples are banned in European countries. Indian government should also take strict action against illegal import of Iranian apples.
-Lokendra Singh Bisht, President, Progressive Growers Association
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