Mumbai: Fruit traders at the Agriculture Produce Market Committee (APMC) in Vashi have decided to halt importing apples from Turkey, citing growing diplomatic tensions and Turkey’s open support for Pakistan amid recent hostilities.
This move marks a significant shift for one of India’s largest fruit markets, which typically receives hundreds of containers of high-quality Turkish apples from January to mid-year. These apples, known for their sweetness and high Net Marketing Margin (NMM), have been a staple in the APMC’s fruit trade, according to a Hindustan Times report.
A fruit trader, Vijay Bhende, mentioned, "India imported 11.76 lakh tonnes of Turkish apples last year, valued at over ₹1,000 crore. These apples are very popular due to their taste and profit margins. However, given the recent attacks on India and Turkey's political stance, we cannot continue to do business with a country that stands against us," as per a report.
The decision reflects a strong sentiment among traders to prioritise national interests over commercial gains. While the move may temporarily impact the availability of Turkish apples in the market, traders are hopeful that alternatives from other countries and local apple-producing states can fill the gap.
This development could lead to increased demand for apples from domestic sources such as Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, boosting local apple growers in the coming months. The APMC Vashi is one of India’s largest wholesale markets and plays a crucial role in the country’s fruit distribution network.
