The rivalry between the US and Iran is playing out in the Indian fruit markets. Apples imported from the Islamic nation have taken a bite out of the market share of the popular Washington apples.
India allowed import of apples from Iran earlier this year, and the first batch reached Delhi’s Azadpur – Asia’s biggest fruit market which supplies products to the entire country – in February.
“After the arrival of Iranian apples, the price of Washington apples crashed by 20%,” said trader Rinkle Singh.
Apples from the US, sold at a wholesale rate of Rs. 90-120 per kg, faced little competition at Azadpur. But that changed once the Iranian fruit, priced at Rs. 50-70 per kg, sent the price for Washington apples crashing to Rs. 60-90 per kg.
Chinese apples, still the most popular import, cost Rs. 40-50 per kg, while Indian apples cost Rs. 60-70 per kg.
Trader Ranjit Singh Kohli said Iranian apples, which arrived in huge numbers, are a hit because of their size, colour and quality.
Because of trade restrictions against Iran, apples from the country had few takers internationally until India, which has a Rs.50,000 crore apple market, allowed the import.
But the friendly gesture has had ramifications back home.
Of the total number of apples sold in India, 80% are indigenously produced.
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