New Delhi, Apr 22 (KNN) India’s apple imports have increased by 43.32 per cent despite a permissible maximum import tariff of 50 per cent imposed by the government under WTO but the government says it had no impact on the domestic growers.
 
In the year 2009-10 the apple import was 98995.25 tons worth Rs 43460.17 lakh.  However,  during April 12-February 13 there was a marked increase in the apple import which stood at 174493.89 tons worth 99749.62 lakh,  according to information given in Parliament today. 
 
However, “The above facts do not suggest that the domestic apple industry is facing any adverse competition from the imported apples,” said Minister of Commerce and Industry, Anand Sharma.
 
The top apple importers to India in 2009-10 were USA and China which imported 41282.62 tons and 41215.83 tons respectively.  Significantly, in the period April 2012-February 2013 China emerged as the top importer with  67141.13 tons and USA  slide to the second position importing 59046.68 tons.  
 
However, the value of import in rupee term during the period of April 2012-February 13 was higher for USA at Rs 36736.09 lakh while China’s import was worth Rs 34381.12 lakh.
 
Other top apple importers to India are Chile, New Zealand and Italy.
 
Export of apples also increased over the years though at a slower pace than imports. In 2009-10 India exported 26739 tons of apples worth Rs 3210.34 lakh; in 2011-12 as many as 30067.20 tons amounting to Rs 9147.11 lakh and during April 2012- February 2013 it was was 212215.35 tons worth Rs 4674.41 lakh.
 
The top exporting destinations are Bangladesh, Nepal, Baharain and Singapore.
 
Significantly, the quantity of domestic apple production has gone up from 17.77 lakh tons during 2009-10 to 22.11 lakh tons during 2011-12.  The top apple producing states are Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttrakhand, Arunachal Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
 
Buckeye Gala, Cortland, Jonagold and Golden Delicious are the apple varieties produced in India.  (KNN)