The All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) has called for market intervention by India’s Union Government and the governments of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, citing falling apple prices during the harvest season and concerns over import competition.
According to AIKS, 15–16 kg apple cartons in Kashmir are selling for around US$7.87–11.25, compared with US$12.37–19.12 several weeks ago. Kashmir harvests around 2.1 million tons of apples annually, accounting for more than 70% of India’s apple crop, according to the organisation. Controlled-atmosphere storage capacity is around 2.92 lakh tons against an estimated requirement of about 6 lakh tons.
AIKS has called for an All India Apple Growers’ Protest Day on October 19, one day before the India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement enters into force. The agreement will reduce the tariff on New Zealand apples from 50% to 25% within a 32,500-ton quota, increasing to 45,000 tons annually. Imports under the quota are scheduled between April and August. The FTA’s October 20 entry into force has been confirmed by the Indian and New Zealand governments.
AIKS also raised concerns over the India-EU FTA, under which EU apples are set to receive a 20% tariff within a 50,000-ton quota, eventually increasing to 1 lakh tons. The Indian government has confirmed that apples are among the products covered by tariff-rate quotas under the agreement.
The organisation is seeking the introduction of a Market Intervention Scheme with minimum prices for A, B, and C grade apples, payment of outstanding MIS dues, and additional controlled-atmosphere storage capacity. It has also called for apples to be excluded from the India-New Zealand, India-EU, and India-U.S. trade agreements and for higher apple import duties.
AIKS said demonstrations are planned at district and block headquarters on October 19, with memoranda to be submitted to the Prime Minister through Deputy Commissioners.
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Source: eng.ruralvoice.in
Publication date:
Thu 1 Oct 2026
