Shimla, Jan. 2 -- Himachal chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday said he will take up the issue regarding the recent trade agreement with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, saying that the concessions on apple imports could adversely affect Himachal's apple economy.

"I will write a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on this issue. The Himachal's apple farmers should not suffer," he said.

The recently signed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and New Zealand, has reduced the import duty on apples from New Zealand to 25% from 50%, leaving the apple growers of the state worried as the influx of cheaper New Zealand apples in the market will cause local apple prices to fall.

Apples are imported into India from 44 countries,...