Delhi: Fruit Traders At Azadpur Mandi, Asia’s Largest Mandi, Halt Apple Imports From Turkey

In a significant step, fruit traders at Delhi’s Azadpur Mandi have decided to discontinue all new imports of apples from Turkey. They have cited the current diplomatic situation as the reason for this move. Not just in Delhi, fruit traders in Pune have implemented a similar stance, resulting in the complete absence of Turkish apples from the city’s marketplaces.

Delhi’s Azadpur Mandi Halts Apple Imports From Turkey

Delhi’s Azadpur Mandi, Asia’s largest wholesale market for fruits and vegetables, has decided to halt imports of apples from Turkey. According to NDTV, Azadpur Fruit Mandi chairman Meetha Ram Kriplani confirmed that the fruit traders in the market have decided to discontinue all new imports of Turkish apples. He mentioned that the consignment ordered earlier will arrive as planned but no new import orders will be placed. Not just apples, no other produce from Turkey will be available in Azadpur Mandi from now on.

For years, this famous fruit mandi in Delhi has prioritised Turkish apples over others. As per Mr Kriplani, apple imports from Turkey reached a whopping 1.16 lakh tonnes in 2024. He further shared that while the traders in the market have supported trade from the country for a long time, they have now decided to step back due to current tensions.

The decision to halt all new apple imports marks a significant shift in Azadpur Mandi’s sourcing strategy. Reports reveal that the marketplace is now exploring alternative suppliers to import apples in the upcoming months. It is to be noted that other trader organisations in Delhi are also demanding a ban on the import and marketing of Turkish goods.

Also Read: Actor Siddhant Issar Cancels Honeymoon In Turkey; Chooses Goa Instead

Apple Traders In Pune Follow Suit

Just like Delhi’s Azadpur Mandi, traders in Pune have also come in full support of the nation’s integrity and decided to boycott apples from Turkey. According to the Times of India report, this campaign has gained momentum and resulted in the complete absence of Turkish apples from the city’s marketplaces. To support the armed forces and go beyond economic benefits, the traders have decided to stop imports of apples from Turkey.

While talking to TOI, an apple trader in Pune’s Agricultural Produce Market Committee, revealed that even customers are no longer interested in buying apples from Turkey. He shared that Turkish apples are sold in Pune for three months. The sales of these apples help generate seasonal revenue of around ₹1,200-1,500 crore. Now, both the customers and traders have decided to boycott Turkish apples. Pune traders are instead preferring to buy apples from Himachal and other Indian states.

Also Read: “Least We Could Do For India,” 800-Member Gujarati Group Cancels Trip To Turkey Amid Boycott Calls

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Cover Image Courtesy: Canva (representative image)