Compete or Perish: Kashmiri Apple Farmers Competing Against a Rigged Market

Dr Noour Ali Zehgeer
An Apple a day keeps Doctor away. In this era, Kashmiri Apples keep the Economy away, just because Government of India (GOI) wants to please Uncle SAM. For decades, Kashmir’s apple industry has been the pride of India’s horticulture sector, providing livelihoods to over 3.5 lakh families and contributing significantly to the region’s economy. But today, thanks to a brilliantly thought-out import policy, Kashmiri farmers are no longer just fighting unpredictable weather and rising costs—they are battling an onslaught of cheap foreign apples flooding Indian markets.
And guess what? The government’s response so far has been a glorious display of free-market wisdom: Let the farmers suffer, let the foreign imports dominate, and let the local economy collapse under the weight of ‘competition.
Leaders which included the likes of Dattopant Thengdi, Founder of Swadeshi Jagaran Manch, Chandra Shekhar former Prime Minister, George Fernandez former Union Minister had warned that the “framework of the WTO has exploitation and inequity as in-built features, and it is unacceptable to us.” They explained the nature of exploitation in terms of WEST versus the REST, condemning the collective West for its hypocrisy and double standards.
The Agreement on Agriculture (AoA) is an international treaty of the World Trade Organization (WTO). It was negotiated during the Uruguay Round of the GATT and entered into force with the establishment of the WTO. AoA claims to focus on reducing the agricultural support and subsidies given to domestic producers by the member countries. It is one of the most contentious agreements within the WTO. The additional 20% duty that was imposed on US apples in 2019 was in response to the USA’s measure to increase tariffs on certain steel and aluminium products. There is no reduction on the Most Favoured Nation (MFN) duty on apples which is still applicable on all imported apples including the USA at 50%. That 20 per cent duty hike was rolled back recently after resolution of six outstanding World Trade Organisation (WTO) disputes between US and India through mutually agreed solutions as jointly communicated during the official state visit of the Prime Minister to the USA in June, 2023.

Foreign Apples: The New VIPs of Indian Markets
Once upon a time, Kashmiri apples were considered the premium fruit in India. Now, they struggle to find buyers, thanks to imported apples from Iran, Turkey, and the U.S., which land in Indian markets at shockingly low prices. “These apples don’t have to pay the kind of duties and taxes we do,” says Showkat Ahmad, an apple grower from Sopore, home to Kashmir’s largest fruit mandi. He further added: “We have to bear heavy transportation costs, high production expenses, and unfair market conditions—while foreign apples waltz in without restrictions and sell for dirt cheap.” So, in a nutshell: Local farmers pay more to produce apples, but foreign apples get to sell cheaper. That makes sense, right?
Kashmiri Farmers: Competing Against a Rigged Market
If you think the situation couldn’t get worse, hold your apples—because it does. The Indian government, in an inspired move, decided to slash import duties on American apples from 50% to 20%. Why? Because obviously, what struggling Kashmiri farmers really needed was more American competition! Now, an average Kashmiri apple costs nearly 40% more to grow than an imported American one. Why? Because the U.S. government showers its farmers with massive subsidies—a cosy ₹1.3 lakh crore annually—while Indian apple growers get nothing but advice on “adjusting to global markets.” I take my apples to Delhi and still struggle to sell at the basic cost price,” says a frustrated farmer. “Meanwhile, American apples—subsidized to the core—are selling at rates we can never match.”
So, what are Kashmiri farmers supposed to do? Sell at a loss? Quit apple farming? Maybe switch to growing something the U.S. doesn’t subsidize—like saffron? Oh, wait…
Market Prices: Downhill Faster Than a Rolling Apple Reports from fruit mandis across India show plummeting prices, thanks to this unchecked foreign competition. Growers who once made decent profits are now barely recovering production and transportation costs. We were already struggling with increasing fertilizer prices, higher wages, and expensive logistics, says another farmer. “Now, the market is flooded with cheap imports, and our apples are either going unsold or being sold at humiliating prices.” This is no longer just an economic issue—it’s a question of survival. Many orchard owners are considering abandoning apple farming altogether, and if things continue this way, Kashmir might soon lose its apple industry entirely.
JKNC to the Rescue?
The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) has jumped into the debate, condemning the central government’s decision to lower import duties on American apples, walnuts, and almonds. Senior JKNC leader Tanvir Sadiq has promised that party president and former CM Omar Abdullah will raise the issue with the Centre. “Our farmers are already in crisis. Instead of supporting them, the government is making things worse by encouraging foreign imports,” he said. It’s a nice sentiment, but will the central government listen? Or will they stick to their brilliant economic strategy of “Let Kashmir’s apple industry collapse so we can enjoy cheaper imports”?
Growers Demand Action (Not Speeches!)
The Kashmir Valley Fruit Growers Cum Dealers Union has made an urgent appeal to the Lieutenant Governor’s administration and the central government to step in before it’s too late. Their demands are simple:
•⁠ ⁠Increase import duties on foreign apples to ensure fair competition.
•⁠ ⁠Introduce subsidies and financial aid for Kashmiri apple farmers.
•⁠ ⁠Set up a pricing mechanism to prevent foreign apples from being sold below local production costs.
•⁠ ⁠Develop cold storage and transportation facilities to help Kashmiri farmers access more markets.
•⁠ ⁠Support the export of Kashmiri apples to balance trade.
“We’re not asking for a complete ban on imports,” says orchardist Ghulam Nabi Dar. “But there must be balance! If the government can protect sugarcane and wheat farmers, why not apple growers?”
The Road Ahead: A Slow Death or a Last-Minute Rescue?
The apple industry in Kashmir has survived political turmoil, economic crises, and natural disasters—but can it survive bad policies? This isn’t just about apples. It’s about thousands of families who depend on this industry. If things don’t change, we will see mass unemployment, debt-ridden farmers, and a ruined horticulture sector,” warns veteran apple trader Abdul Rashid. So, what will it be? Will the government finally protect one of India’s most valuable fruit industries? Or will Kashmiri apples become just another casualty of lousy trade policies? One thing is certain: If action isn’t taken soon, the only thing growing in Kashmir’s orchards will be frustration and despair.