Washington State officials have urged the Biden administration to help remove or reduce the tariffs on American apples imported to India as the country's fruit industry has incurred significant losses due to New Delhi's retaliatory measures. On average, 30 per cent of the apples, cherries, and pears produced in the Pacific Northwest are exported and India was once a strong market. With retaliatory tariffs in place, Washington state apple growers have continuously lost market share in India, the lawmakers said.
Prior to the implementation of these tariffs, India was our number two export market, valued at USD 120 million annually, they said. Last season, growers exported fruits barely worth USD 3 million.
According to the lawmakers, continued export losses coincide with the ongoing cost-of-production increases that are forcing multi-generational family farms out of business. The 'Red Delicious' variety accounts for nearly all the exports to India.
Source: theweek.in