SHAKEELA ANDRABI
After Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, the fruit industry of Kashmir and Ladakh region are believed to get back on track which has lost its market, due to free trade agreement with Afghanistan during past few years.
According to reports, Taliban has stopped trade agreement with India and with this disruption, import of figs, almonds, pistachios and apricots has been disrupted, leading to higher prices in Jammu and other parts of country.
According to KCCI President Sheikh Ashiq, stopping trade due to unrest in Afghanistan will boost Kashmir fruit Industry which was at the edge for last few years. Last year, Kashmiri apple growers did not get profits. Initially a target was set as several neighbouring countries were trying to get more profit of their fruits through Afghanistan.
It is a very crucial time for our fruit industry, now with the Taliban’s decision, we hope it will greatly benefit Kashmiri fruit industry, especially for dry fruit growers. “There are California almonds Afghan almond, fig, raisins and pistachio in markets, and these products were the first choice of customers because of free trade agreement, but if compared with Kashmiri products, the foreign products are average in taste and quality,” the KCCI President said.
KCCI president made it clear that we are not against trade and travel with Afghanistan or any other country, but Free Trade Agreement is very disastrous for any country whose economy is in bad state, especially for those countries whose citizens are being targeted by this agreement.
He said that our hopes have increased tremendously. This year will be very profitable for Kashmir fruit industry and the decision will help us in the long run. Fruit industry in Kashmir is very large and thousands of people are associated with it.
Fayyaz Ahmed, a whole sale dealer of dry fruits, said that the cost of Afghan Pistachio has increased by Rs 500 to Rs 600 per kg due to Afghan crises, while Afghan almonds and raisins have increased by Rs 350 per Kg.
Fig prices have also jumped by Rs 400. This year in January, Kashmir fruit Growers Association and Traders’ Association delegation met with Director Horticulture and raised the issue of import of Iranian Apples via Afghanistan and demanded that import of Iranian apples via Afghanistan should not allowed as it severely damages interest of fruit growers of the valley.
Kashmiri Farmers said, “We suffered heavy losses due to lockdown, but now it is hoped that we will be able to get market in India.
We hope that the situation in Afghanistan will improve but there should not be a free trade agreement again, as it is very disastrous for fruit Industry.” Traders were able to make good money during the peak of COVID-19 pandemic as there was huge demand for dry fruits like figs.
Traders all over the country, on the other hand, claimed that they were suffering significant financial losses due to price hike in dry fruits.