Shimla, Dec. 25 -- The Himachal Apple Producers Association (Himachal Seb Utpadak Sangh) has strongly opposed the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed between India and New Zealand, alleging that it compromises the interests of apple, kiwi and pear growers across hill states and favours corporate farming interests abroad.
In a press release issued here today, the Association said the agreement reduces import duty on apples from 50 percent to 25 percent, makes kiwi imports duty-free and cuts duty on pears to 16.5 percent from the 2026 fruit season.
The growers' body described the move as a "serious blow" to orchardists in Himachal Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand and the northeastern states, who are already facing rising input costs an...