Nutty Competition: Chile Takes a Big Bite Out of India's Walnut Market

Chile has emerged as India's biggest supplier of in-shell walnuts, replacing Turkey. The value of trade increased to $125.48 million during 2022-2023, a 95.2% rise from the last year. This hike, along with higher imports from California, has hit Kashmir's walnut industry hard. Domestic production in Kashmir fell to 1,80,973 MT during 2019-2020, from 1,95,066 MT during 2018-2019. Kashmiri businessmen are incurring heavy losses, with numerous being compelled to exit the trade. Experts are urging higher tariffs on imported walnuts from abroad in order to shield Kashmir's countryside economy, wherein numerous farmers base their secondary earnings on walnut cultivation.
Source: FreshPlaza