Apple Farmers in Himachal Fear Tough Competition from US Imports
Himachal’s apple growers are uneasy after the Centre reduced the import duty on US apples from 50% to 25% while raising the Minimum Import Price (MIP) from ₹50 to ₹80 per kg. Under the India–US trade deal, American apples will enter the Indian market at around ₹100 per kg—the same price fetched by premium Himachali apples.
Farmers worry that consumers may shift toward imported apples if both are priced equally. Harish Chauhan of the Sanyukt Kisan Manch warned that Controlled Atmosphere (CA) storage facilities could become unsustainable, as local apples stored and sold later would cost more than US imports.
Lokinder Bisht, president of the Progressive Growers Association, acknowledged that while the tariff and MIP offer some protection, the premium segment will still be hit. He argued that the MIP should have been set at ₹100 to safeguard local growers and suggested restrictions on the volume of imports.
Not all voices are pessimistic. Dimple Panjta, president of the Himalayan Society for Horticulture and Agriculture Development, sees the deal as a challenge to improve quality. He believes Himachali apples can compete globally if farmers receive better planting material, subsidies, and support to boost production.
For many growers, however, the fear remains that unlimited imports could destabilize the local apple economy, affecting not just premium varieties but also lower-quality apples that depend on strong domestic demand.
