After Modi’s US visit, duty removed on US apples, to compete with Indian apples

With the choice of decision of six excellent World Trade Organisation (WTO) disputes between US and India, following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s go to to the US, New Delhi will take away further duties on eight US merchandise, together with apples, opening market entry to the US.

However, the choice won’t lead to any unfavourable affect on home apple producers and can lead to competitors in premium market phase making certain higher high quality at higher costs for shoppers, assured Commerce Ministry sources.

After elimination of this duty, the apples from the US would compete on degree taking part in discipline with different nations. The choice will be sure that solely premium high quality apples could possibly be imported for which there exists a particular market phase and particular demand, they added.

An further 20 per cent duty was imposed on US apples in 2019 in response to US’ measure to enhance tariffs on sure metal and aluminum merchandise.

Official sources nonetheless have been fast to make clear that there isn’t any discount on most favoured nation (MFN) duty on apples, which remains to be relevant on all imported apples together with on US at 50 per cent.

The import of apples from the world has been secure within the vary of $239–305 million (besides in 2021-22 when it was $385 million) within the final 5 monetary years since utility of those further duties on US apples.

The import of apples from the US has decreased from $145 million (127,908 tonnes in 2018-19) to solely $5.27 million (4,486 tonnes) in 2022-23.

The market share of the US apples was taken by different nations due to imposition of further retaliatory duty on the commodity.

(With inputs from IANS)