Now international relationships will decide the price of apple
Eating apple every day is beneficial for health, but this time its price will decide its jurisdiction. International equations are going to have a profound impact on apple prices in India in the apple season starting from August this year. India is still becoming difficult from the countries of Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan, which imported the most apples from Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan.
Türkiye, which was India’s largest apple exporter in the last financial year (about $ 97 million business), is no longer a priority of Indian traders. The reason behind this is Türkiye’s anti-India stance and support to Pakistan.
Imports from Afghan and Türkiye shut down
On the other hand, the Attari-Wagah border between India and Pakistan has been closed since May 1, which has completely stopped the supply of apples coming from Afghanistan. Afghan apples are usually cheap and popular, which were sold in the wholesale market for ₹ 40 to ₹ 65 per kg. In comparison, the apple of Kashmir and Himachal ranges from ₹ 60 to ₹ 90 per kg.
Pawan Chhabra, the fruit merchant of Azadpur Mandi (Asia’s biggest fruit-vegetable market), says that there is no import duty on Afghan apple, as they fall under the South Asia Free Trade Agreement. In such a situation, native apples can now be expensive.
Kashmiri and Himachali apples will be expensive
Another importer said that due to the instability released in Iran, there is also a risk in ordering apples from there. Indian traders usually act as agents on 46% commission for Iranian exporters, making this business even more challenging for them.
The main production of apples in India is in Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, and the total production is around 24 lakh metric tonnes. But domestic demand is more than this, so import is necessary. In the last financial year, India imported around 34,000 tonnes of apples, priced at $ 450 million – it is an annual increase of 12%.