Centre rules out Apple Import duty hike, reaffirms ₹50/kg Minimum Import Price
Photo used for indicative purpose only. Source: Internet
Shimla, July 28,
The Union Government has officially denied any move to raise import duty on apples, clarifying in Parliament that the duty remains unchanged at 50%, while a Minimum Import Price (MIP) of ₹50 per kilogram continues to be enforced to protect Indian apple growers.
Responding to a query in the Rajya Sabha by MP Harsh Mahajan, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada said that there is no proposal under consideration to hike the import duty. He underscored that the MIP of ₹50/kg acts as a protective buffer for domestic producers against unfairly priced imports.
This clarification comes in the wake of recent statements by BJP leader Chetan Bragta, who had suggested that the Centre had indirectly increased the duty burden by raising the average price of imported apples in market assessments from ₹50 to ₹80 per kilogram. He argued that this adjustment, along with other cost components, was inflating the effective price for importers to nearly ₹120/kg, benefiting local growers.
Also read:BJP counters duty cut fears, says MIP hike protects Indian Apple farmers
Bragta had also referenced a letter from Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, suggesting the price recalibration was a response to persistent demands from apple-producing states like Himachal Pradesh.
However, Prasada refuted these claims by citing recent trade statistics from the Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCIS) for FY 2024–25. As per the data, apples imported from Turkey, Iran, and the United States were priced at ₹66.16/kg, ₹51.62/kg, and ₹82.99/kg respectively—all significantly above the ₹50 MIP. The figures indicate that the import price structure does not undercut domestic apple markets.
Prasada also addressed concerns about the United States’ stance on agricultural tariffs. While former U.S. President Donald Trump had recently called for reduced trade barriers with India to support American farm exports, including apples and nuts, the minister pointed out that under India’s Normal Trade Relations (NTR) status with the U.S., Indian apple exports currently face no import duty on the American side.
Also read:Himachal CM Sukhu to meet PM Modi over Apple Import duty; Seeks ban on Turkish apples
Further, he dismissed apprehensions—particularly from opposition benches—that the ongoing India-U.S. trade negotiations might lead to a cut in import duties. He reminded Parliament that the existing ceiling of 50% on agricultural import tariffs stems from binding commitments made during the UPA government’s tenure.
In conclusion, Prasada reiterated the Centre’s commitment to safeguarding domestic horticulture, highlighting initiatives such as the Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) scheme for fertilizers, which aims to ease rising production costs for apple growers and other farmers.
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