Indian apple growers plan to urge Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to ban apple imports from Turkiye. The move follows Turkiye’s perceived support for Pakistan during recent India-Pakistan tensions. Turkiye was the top apple exporter to India in 2023–24.

BulletsIn

• Apple growers to petition ministers over Turkish imports
• Concerned about Turkiye siding with Pakistan in recent conflict
• India imported 160,000 tonnes of apples from Turkiye in 2023–24
• This was the highest-ever import volume from Turkiye
• Total apple imports: 300,000–500,000 tonnes annually from 40 countries
• Growers see Turkish imports as hurting local market and security interests
• Demand rooted in both economic and national sentiment
• Appeal likely to go to Agriculture and Commerce Ministries
• Turkiye seen as diplomatically unfriendly by protesting growers
• Growers push for policy linking trade to national interest