(a) the quantum of apple exported and imported during each of the last three years and the current year, year-wise and country-wise;
(b) whether the production of apple has decreased during the said period;
(c) if so, the details thereof and the reasons therefor; and
(d) the steps taken by the Government to increase the export and production of apple?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF COMMERCE AND INDUSTRY (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(SMT. NIRMALA SITHARAMAN)
(a) The details of apples exported and imported during each of the last three years and the current year, year-wise and country-wise, are at Annexure-I.
(b) As per the Annual Estimate for 2013-14, 2014-15 and latest Advance Estimate for 2015-16, the total apple production in the country has increased by 30.4 % in 2013-14 over 2012-13 and by 34.58 % in 2015-16 over 2014-15. However, the production of apple decreased by 14.57 % in 2014-15 over 2013-14. This was due to excessive floods in Jammu & Kashmir during 2014-15. The production of apple in the last three years and the current year is as under:
Year 2012-13 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 (3rd Estimate)
Production (‘000 tons) 1915.38 2497.68 2133.84 2871.80
Source: D/o Agriculture, Cooperation & Farmers Welfare.
(c) Does not arise in view of (b) above.
(d) Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, is being implemented during XII Plan. The Mission envisages production and productivity improvement of horticulture crops, including apple, through various interventions. Activities such as production of planting material, vegetable seed production, coverage of area with improved cultivars, rejuvenation of senile orchards, protected cultivation, creation of water resources, adoption of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Integrated Nutrient Management (INM), organic farming, including insitu generation of organic inputs are taken up for development of fruits and vegetables. Capacity buildings of farmers and technicians are also provided for adopting improved technologies. Scheme also envisages creation of infrastructure for post harvest management (PHM) and marketing for better price realization of produce.
The Agricultural & Processed Food Export Development Authority (APEDA), an autonomous organisation under the administrative control of Department of Commerce, provides financial assistance to exporters of horticulture produce, including apples, under various components of its plan scheme viz. Infrastructure Development, Market Promotion, Quality Development and Transport Assistance. Export of apples is also eligible for reward @ 5% under the Merchandise Exports from India scheme (MEIS).
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ANNEXURE-I
Export of Apples
Quantity in MT; Value in USD Million
Country 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17
(April-Sep)*
Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value
BANGLADESH 30801.63 10.28 13907.86 4.81 11547.77 5.05 3192.00 1.08
NEPAL 4914.41 3.00 6198.16 3.42 9256.31 4.07 1528.02 0.70
OTHER COUNTRIES 502.88 0.62 394.81 0.39 80.17 0.05 321.16 0.26
Grand Total 36218.92 13.89 20500.82 8.62 20884.25 9.17 5041.18 2.03
Source: DGCI&S
* Provisional
Import of Apples
Quantity in MT; Value in USD Million
Country 2013-14 2014-15 2015-16 2016-17
(April-Sep)*
Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value
U S A 49051.05 64.87 59814.07 75.74 94721.94 103.89 31225.57 37.64
CHINA 88014.98 92.46 59799.18 65.25 46553.33 43.03 66152.67 56.04
CHILE 15999.95 17.46 47593.98 54.33 19950.56 22.37 31409.28 32.89
NEW ZEALAND 14825.38 18.88 12282.93 16.67 14799.99 19.40 11930.01 15.26
ITALY 959.24 1.99 7005.24 8.69 10296.83 11.74 4725.38 5.31
BELGIUM 0.00 0.00 1738.02 1.39 5689.33 4.78 8367.16 6.53
BANGLADESH 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 6809.00 2.88 0.00 0.00
IRAN 2973.07 2.72 2798.60 2.46 3180.17 2.36 548.66 0.42
AFGHANISTAN 1557.11 1.24 3159.25 2.67 1458.04 1.48 118.13 0.09
FRANCE 482.37 0.52 1956.51 2.12 1256.07 1.42 227.56 0.18
OTHER COUNTRIES 1575.51 1.71 2554.23 2.59 3804.02 3.61 2870.57 2.37
Grand Total 175438.65 201.85 198702.01 231.90 208519.26 216.94 157575.00 156.75
Source: DGCI&S
* Provisional