Shopian, July 4 (KNN) The apple growers and traders of Kashmir Valley are distraught due to centre’s decision to reduce the import duty on Washington apples.

Recently, the Central government has reduced the import duty on Washington apples from 70 percent to 50 percent.

Bashir Ahmad, president Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers and Dealer's Association told Greater Kashmir that slashing down the import duty on Washington apples was disconcerting for the growers and traders of the apple producing states of India.

"A 20 percent reduction is not a scant percentage. It is bound to have a detrimental effect on the apple industry", he said.

The local growers are of the view that the consumers would prefer to buy the imported high quality apples over the local produce when both would be 

available at comparable prices.

Additionally, the Washington apples show up in Indian markets at a time when the local produce is already on sale.

Mohammad Ashraf Wani, a prominent apple grower and former president Fruit Mandi Shopian said that the local produce could not compete with the high quality Washington apples. 

 He added that it was the huge import duty that would protect the local farmers.

The apple industry had been caught in the throes of crisis over the last few years, incurring huge losses to the local growers and traders. 

The unseasonal snowfall, long-drawn-out-lockdowns and frequent closure of Jammu-Srinagar National Highway over the last few years had caused huge losses to apple growers and traders.  (KNN Bureau)