Apple farmers across Himachal Pradesh have welcomed the Centre’s move to increase the Minimum Import Price (MIP) on imported apples from Rs 50 per kg to Rs 80 per kg. However, they have also raised strong concerns over lack of on-ground enforcement and warned that without a 100% import duty on foreign apples, the revised MIP would fail to protect domestic growers.

Harish Chauhan, Convener of the Himachal Pradesh Samyukt Kisan Manch, said the MIP hike was a welcome step but stressed the need for effective implementation. “We appreciate the Government of India's decision to revise the MIP. But unless this is strictly enforced at ports, as it wasn't in 2023-24, apple farmers will continue to suffer,” he told ANI.

Chauhan alleged that in the previous year, despite the MIP being Rs 50 per kg, apples from Iran and Turkey were sold at rates as low as Rs 41 and Rs 58 per kg, respectively. He argued that had the MIP been implemented properly, these apples would have landed at Rs 85–90 per kg.

He cautioned that Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, and Uttarakhand—India’s major apple-producing states—are already reeling under the impact of cheap imports, and any lapse in enforcement could be disastrous. “The MIP must be actively monitored and enforced at all ports,” Chauhan asserted.

The farmer leader also expressed deep concern over ongoing trade negotiations with the United States. He warned that discussions around reducing or eliminating import duties could nullify the benefits of the revised MIP. “There are fears that while MIP is raised to Rs 80, it could be a cover-up for allowing zero-duty imports of Washington apples. That would be an economic death warrant for Indian farmers,” he warned.

Chauhan demanded a 100% import duty on foreign apples, drawing parallels to India’s 2018 trade retaliation when the US imposed tariffs on Indian steel and aluminum. “Modi and Trump were in power then, and India responded strongly. Why can’t we do the same now?” he questioned.

Currently, India imports apples from more than 44 countries, including premium varieties like Washington apples, which directly compete with Himachali apples from districts like Kinnaur, Shimla, and Mandi. Chauhan said this unfair competition was affecting farmer incomes.

Himachal’s apple economy is valued between Rs 4,000–6,000 crore annually, contributing roughly 6 to 8 lakh metric tonnes of the total 20 lakh metric tonnes produced across the three Himalayan states. Around 15 lakh families are dependent on apple farming, and import pressure threatens their livelihoods, Chauhan said.

“If MIP is properly enforced and import duties are raised to 100 per cent, foreign apples will land at Rs 135 per kg or more, allowing Indian farmers to fetch fair prices,” he noted.

He also warned that once non-tariff barriers are lifted, it will be nearly impossible to reinstate them. “If Washington apples are allowed duty-free access, other countries will demand the same. This could be a death blow for Indian apple growers,” Chauhan said.

Meanwhile, early varieties of apples have started arriving in Himachal’s Mandi district, with an estimated production of around 2.5 crore apple boxes this season. However, recent rains have blocked nearly 450 roads, raising fresh fears about disrupted supply chains.

“This is a crisis. If apples can't reach markets, the losses will be unimaginable. The government must act on a war footing,” Chauhan urged.

The Samyukt Kisan Manch has raised these concerns with state authorities and pledged to continue pressing for urgent intervention on pricing, enforcement, and logistics support