Shimla, June 17 – Himachal Pradesh Revenue and Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi on Monday raised alarm over the Centre’s reported move to eliminate import duties on U.S. apples, warning that such a decision—if carried out—would spark widespread protests by apple growers across northern hill states.
Addressing journalists at a press conference, Negi said the state government recently held a consultation with key stakeholders ahead of the upcoming apple season. During the meeting, growers expressed deep unease over the Centre’s import policy, particularly in the context of past and proposed tariff reductions on American apples.
“There was a 75 percent tariff on U.S. apples, which was brought down to 50 percent. Now, on instructions reportedly stemming from U.S. President Donald Trump’s tenure, there are fresh efforts to scrap the duty entirely. NITI Aayog has even recommended that imports from the U.S. be made tariff-free,” Negi said, calling the move a direct threat to growers in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu and Kashmir.
The minister warned that apple growers are preparing to take the issue to the central government and would not hesitate to launch a mass agitation if the policy is implemented. “It will be made absolutely clear that we will resist any such move meant to favour American imports at the cost of our farmers,” he said.
Negi also slammed the BJP for what he described as a “misinformation campaign” targeting local orchardists. He denied rumors that farmers would be fined for selling produce outside designated mandis and accused the BJP of attempting to distract attention from the potential fallout of tariff changes.
“BJP is anti-orchardist. They’re trying to cover up the fact that under Trump’s directive, the central government is planning to make U.S. apple imports duty-free. There is no ban on growers selling their apples anywhere they wish,” he clarified.
He explained that the state government’s only requirement is for commission agents operating outside regulated market yards to display a valid licence. “This is to protect orchardists from fraud. If an agent wants to buy directly from a grower’s orchard, they must show proper government-issued credentials,” he said.
With the apple harvest season approaching, tensions are mounting across apple-growing regions. Growers, already grappling with rising input costs and market volatility, fear that a flood of low-cost U.S. apples could decimate domestic prices.
