The Commerce & Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman replied in writing to the Rajya Sabha that it’s at once impossible to Hike in import duty on apples in India without negotiation under WTO regime in spite to increase the import tariff, she received numerous requests from public representatives.
Currently, Import duty for apples is 50 percent; it is also the bound rate of duty agreed to in GATT/WTO (World Trade Organization). Thus for this cause, there is no scope for further raise in tariff rates without further negotiations under the WTO rule,” she stated in a written response.
In comparison to last financial year, there is showing a downfall of Fruit imports From USD 644.34 million to USD 621.19 million.
Replying to another question, she stated that there are numerous market access efforts made from grapes in countries like US, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Vietnam.
