Shimla, April 4: The recent imposition of a 26% tariff on Indian imports by US President Donald Trump has sparked concern among the gaddi shepherds of Himachal Pradesh, whose organic wool exports to the US have surged in recent years.
Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) from Baijnath and Bara Bhangal in Kangra district, supported by local NGOs, export around 2.5 lakh kg of organically certified raw wool annually to the US—providing a vital income stream for shepherds across Kangra and Chamba.
Akshay Jasrotia, head of the Baijnath FPO, said the new tariff places Indian wool at a serious disadvantage compared to producers in Australia, New Zealand, Peru, and Turkey, where imports face only a 10% tariff. “We are evaluating the impact and are in touch with our US partners. We’ll also approach the Indian government for support,” he said.
The FPO had helped shepherds earn significantly more by securing organic certification—raising the price from Rs 45 per kg to Rs 60–70 per kg, with US companies also covering transport costs to Delhi for export.
The sharp tariff hike now threatens this growing export model. Jasrotia appealed for central and state government subsidies to help Himachal’s organic wool sector remain globally competitive.
