Himachal Pradesh CM Requests Ban on Apple Imports During Peak Season

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu met Union Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to request a ban on apple imports during the state's peak production season from July to November. He also urged raising import duties to 100 percent in other months to protect about 2.5 lakh local apple farmers. Sukhu highlighted concerns over increased apple imports, which have risen 2.5 times in a decade, and warned that free trade agreements could further impact in-season and off-season apple trade and prices.