2 weeks ago
US Safeguard Duty Threatens Andhra Pradesh Quartz Industry
The United States plans to put an extra tax on quartz imported from India.
The tax will be between 25% and 50% and will begin on August 15.
Andhra Pradesh has many quartz resources, especially in Nellore, Kadapa, Anantapur and NTR districts.
Businesses sell this quartz to the United States and other countries.
Quartz is used in products such as solar glass, computer-related materials and kitchen surfaces.
Exporters say the new tax will make their products more expensive in the United States.
They may send more quartz to China, Japan, Malaysia and Vietnam instead.
One mine can produce about 2,000 to 3,000 tonnes each month, and processing one tonne requires two workers per day.
The United States will impose a 25% to 50% safeguard duty on Indian quartz exports from August 15.
Andhra Pradesh’s main quartz-producing areas include Nellore, Kadapa, Anantapur and NTR districts.
The state exports quartz for solar glass, silicon, semiconductors, fused quartz, crucibles and engineered stone.
Nellore exported about 1.60 lakh tonnes of quartz in 2024-25, or nearly 17.47% of India’s reported 9.15 lakh tonnes.
Exporters fear the duty will end most US shipments and redirect raw-material sales toward China, Japan, Malaysia and Vietnam.
- Who
- Quartz miners and exporters in Andhra Pradesh, and the United States, which is imposing the duty.
- What
- The United States is imposing a 25% to 50% safeguard duty on quartz exports from India.
- Where
- The measure affects Indian quartz exports, including shipments from Andhra Pradesh to the United States.
- When
- The duty is scheduled to begin on August 15; the articles do not specify the year.
- Why
- The articles do not state the United States’ reason for imposing the duty; exporters say it will severely reduce US shipments.
Key facts
- Safeguard duty
- 25% to 50% on quartz exports from India
- Effective date
- August 15
- Main resource areas
- Nellore, Kadapa, Anantapur and NTR districts in Andhra Pradesh
- Nellore exports
- About 1.60 lakh tonnes in 2024-25
- Nellore’s reported share
- Nearly 17.47% of India’s 9.15 lakh tonnes of exports in 2024-25
- Quartz prices
- Ordinary or industrial lumps cost about Rs 4,000 to Rs 12,000 per tonne; A-grade lumps cost Rs 12,000 to Rs 36,000 per tonne
- Mine production and processing
- One mine produces 2,000 to 3,000 tonnes per month; processing one tonne requires two workers per day
Quotes
Mining engineer Venkateswara Rao
Mining engineer and former quartz mine operator in NTR district
“"Though AP has a huge export potential of quartz mainly to the US, after the outbreak of US‑Iran war, this was severely affected. With the new tariff being imposed, there will be nobody to export to the US and focus on sending raw material to nations like China, Japan, Malaysia and Vietnam."”
deccanchronicle.com
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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