Archive · 31 Jan 2026
India-EU Trade Deal Sparks Concerns
India and the European Union have made a big trade deal.
This deal might hurt apple farmers in Kashmir because it allows cheaper apples from the EU to be sold in India.
The farmers are worried because these cheaper apples could make it hard for them to sell their own apples at good prices.
The deal also reduces the taxes on these imported apples, making them even cheaper.
Besides apples, other farmers and groups are also worried because the deal might let in a lot of cheap goods from the EU, which could hurt local industries and jobs.
Some groups are saying this deal is not fair and could be bad for India's farmers and small businesses.
India-EU trade deal reduces import duty on EU apples to 20%, worrying Kashmiri apple growers.
Kashmiri apples sell for ₹125-135 per kg, while EU apples are expected to land at ₹96 per kg.
Jammu and Kashmir produces 75% of India's apples, supporting over seven lakh families.
SKM criticizes the deal, calling it economic colonisation that will harm domestic agriculture and industries.
The deal includes reductions in import duties on various products, including processed foods and machinery.
- Who
- India, European Union, Kashmiri apple growers, Samyukt Kisan Morcha (SKM)
- What
- India-EU trade deal raises concerns among Kashmiri apple growers and farmers' groups
- When
- Trade deal sealed on Tuesday; concerns raised immediately
- Where
- India, particularly Jammu and Kashmir
- Why
- To address potential impacts on domestic markets and livelihoods
- India-EU Trade Agreement
- Sealed on Tuesday, billed as 'mother of all deals'
- Apple Import Duty
- Reduced to 20% from 50% for EU apples
- Apple Import Volume
- Capped at 50,000 tonnes initially, increasing to 100,000 tonnes over a decade
- Kashmir's Apple Production
- Over 75% of India's total, 20-22 lakh tonnes annually
- Apple Economy Revenue
- Approximately ₹12,000 crore annually
- Apple Imports in 2024
- Around five lakh tonnes, including from Iran, Türkiye, and Afghanistan
- SKM's Stance on FTA
- Criticizes it as economic colonisation, harmful to farmers and industries
- Impact on Processed Food
- SKM warns of disastrous impact on domestic agriculture and small farmers
Sources
After the Deal
Pakistan Engages EU To Safeguard Exports After India-EU FTA, Fears Loss Of GSP & Tariff Edge
India-EU FTA | Pakistan Moves to Assess Export Fallout After Historic 'Mother Of All Deals' Concluded
How India Can Emerge As The Next Textile Powerhouse
India-EU trade deal unsettles Kashmir’s apple growers
India-EU trade deal will lead to corporate capture of market, huge unemployment: SKM
India-EU trade deal shows how countries are adapting to American protectionism
‘India now negotiates from a position of strength, looks at every item on merit’: Piyush Goyal
India-EU FTA, Mercedes and Landmark Cars: A pure luxury play
India-EU FTA restores trust in rules-based trade order
Signing of FTAs is a start. Their success will be judged by gains in global market
The week in charts: India-EU FTA, 2026 Padma Awards, India’s EM ranking
India–EU trade deal a long-awaited milestone, says former Assam Chief Secretary
