Key facts
- India imported US$418 million of apples and kiwi in FY2024-25 (freshplaza.com).
- Sourced from 5 origin countries: US, NZ, CL, TR, IR.
- Certifications available from the supply base: FSSAI licence, Phytosanitary certificate, HACCP, BRCGS Food Safety.
- Typical minimum order: One 40' reefer per variety/size mix (typical).
Product overview
India imported about 558,000 t of apples in FY2024-25 (about US$418 mn in CY2024; GTRI via FreshPlaza, research file). Iran supplied over a third of the 2025/26 season, followed by Turkey, the USA, New Zealand, South Africa, Poland and Chile. Imported apples fill the gap between India's Himachal and Kashmir harvest (Aug–Nov) and the following season, and supply premium varieties to modern trade.
Buyers are fruit commission agents and wholesalers in the major APMC mandis, cold-chain distributors, supermarkets and quick-commerce platforms. The trade is perishable (CA/reefer containers), seasonal and politically sensitive because of domestic growers.
The tariff regime is changing: the MFN regime (50% duty with a minimum import price of ₹50/kg per GTRI) is being joined by quota-based concessions — New Zealand's FTA in force from 20 Oct 2026, a proposed US quota at 25% duty with an ₹80/kg MIP, and an EU FTA quota (not yet in force). Each origin now needs its own landed-cost check.
HS note: Dried apples fall under 0813.30 and apple juice concentrate under 2009.
Specifications
| Count / size | Cartons by count (e.g. 80–125 count per ~18–20 kg carton) (typical) |
|---|---|
| Grade | Extra Fancy / Fancy (US); Class I/Extra (EU/NZ) (typical) |
| Firmness / Brix | Per variety and buyer spec (typical) |
| Storage | ~0–1 °C, 90–95% RH; CA storage for long-hold fruit (typical) |
| Residues | Must meet FSSAI MRLs; wax coating must be declared on label |
Typical commercial values. Final specifications are fixed per contract and verified by lab report or pre-shipment inspection.
Grades & variants
Premium varieties
Gala, Fuji, Envy, Jazz, Honeycrisp for modern trade.
Red Delicious / mass
Wholesale mandi trade.
Small count / juice
Lower grades; usually uneconomic under the MIP.
Packaging, MOQ & container loading
| Packing | Sizes | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cartons with trays | ~18–20 kg tray-pack cartons; palletised (typical) | PLU stickers; Indian importer labelling for retail |
Container load (estimate): 20' GP Rarely used · 40' HC ~20 pallets, ~1,000–1,100 cartons ≈ 18–21 t (40' reefer, typical). Reefer at ~0–1 °C; cold-chain continuity essential
Customisation: Variety/count mix, retail punnets and bags for modern trade
Where Indian buyers are
Main Indian demand centres we distribute to.
Delhi
Delhi (Azadpur Mandi)
Asia's largest fruit and vegetable market; north-India distribution
Maharashtra
Mumbai (Vashi APMC), Pune
Main port of entry (Nhava Sheva) and west-India distribution
Tamil Nadu
Chennai (Koyambedu)
South-India wholesale hub; Chennai port entry
Karnataka / Telangana
Bengaluru, Hyderabad
Modern trade and quick-commerce demand
West Bengal
Kolkata
East-India wholesale; Kolkata port entry
Sourcing origins
US
Wenatchee, Yakima, Seattle/Tacoma (ports)
Washington State Red Delicious, Gala, Fuji; proposed US quota at 25% duty with ₹80/kg MIP under the interim deal (status unconfirmed).
NZ
Hastings/Napier (Hawke's Bay), Nelson, Tauranga (port)
Premium Royal Gala, Jazz, Envy; India-NZ FTA in force 20 Oct 2026 with an in-quota 25% duty and minimum CIF US$1.25/kg (Apr–Aug window).
CL
Curicó, Talca (Maule), San Antonio (port)
Southern-Hemisphere counter-season Gala, Fuji, Granny Smith.
TR
Isparta, Karaman, Niğde
Large, competitively priced supply via Mersin port.
IR
Urmia (West Azerbaijan), Mashhad, Bandar Abbas (port)
Largest volume source in 2025/26, but shipping connectivity and sanctions-constrained banking disrupt supply.
Origin market notes
European Union
The India-EU FTA (concluded Jan 2026) reportedly gives EU apples a quota with a minimum price and 20% duty, but entry into force is projected for early 2027.
United States & Canada
A US-India interim framework (Feb 2026) proposed a US apple quota at 25% duty with an ₹80/kg MIP (100,000 t in year 1); we could not confirm it is in force.
Other markets
Iran and Turkey supply most volume at lower prices; Iranian shipments have been disrupted by connectivity problems and sanctions-constrained banking (FreshPlaza, 2026). Chile supplies counter-season fruit.
Australia & New Zealand
India-NZ FTA in force from 20 Oct 2026: apples in quota at 25% duty with minimum CIF US$1.25/kg, Apr 1–Aug 31 window, 32,500 t in year 1 rising to 45,000 t by year 6; quota authorisations via DGFT.
General guidance, not legal advice. Confirm current requirements with your customs broker or the regulator.
Trade policy note
As of 2026-11: apples need a plant-quarantine import permit and phytosanitary certificate (PQ Order 2003), FSSAI FICS clearance, and entry through notified ports. MFN: 50% duty plus a minimum import price of ₹50/kg (GTRI via FreshPlaza; sources differ on the MIP level — verify). New Zealand: FTA quota from 20 Oct 2026 at 25% duty, min CIF US$1.25/kg. USA: proposed quota at 25% duty and ₹80/kg MIP, not confirmed in force. EU: FTA quota not yet in force. Sources: https://www.freshplaza.com/north-america/article/9811666/indian-apple-growers-pressured-by-rising-u-s-imports/; https://www.freshplaza.com/asia/article/9884034/india-sets-import-quotas-and-tariffs-for-new-zealand-apples-and-kiwifruit/; https://ppqs.gov.in.
Quality control
- • Pre-shipment quality inspection and temperature records
- • Arrival survey for condition, pressure and decay
- • Residue testing against FSSAI MRLs
- • Reefer data-logger download at destination
Certifications available
- • FSSAI licence
- • Phytosanitary certificate
- • HACCP
- • BRCGS Food Safety
Held by the producing supplier for the specific lot; copies shared with the quote.
Shipping documents
- • Commercial invoice
- • Packing list
- • Bill of lading
- • Certificate of origin
- • Phytosanitary certificate
- • Lab analysis report (aflatoxin, moisture, pesticide residues)
- • FSSAI import NOC (obtained in India via FICS)
- • Plant-quarantine import permit
- • Temperature records
- • FTA quota authorisation (DGFT) where applicable
Trade data
| Period | Flow | Value (USD mn) | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FY2024-25 | India importsLine: Apples and kiwi (temperate fruit) | 418 | verified | freshplaza.com |
Apples USD 417.6 mn CY2024, 558,000 t FY25 (GTRI); kiwi >43,000 t FY24 vs ~18,160 t domestic; DGFT 'Fruits & vegetables' group 3,268 -> 3,824 (+17%)
Import routes
Frequently asked questions
What is the import duty on apples in India?
The MFN regime is 50% duty with a minimum import price (₹50/kg per GTRI; sources differ, so verify). New Zealand apples get a 25% in-quota duty with a minimum CIF of US$1.25/kg from 20 October 2026, and a US quota at 25% with an ₹80/kg MIP has been proposed but not confirmed in force.
What is the minimum import price for apples?
Apples imported under the MFN regime cannot clear below the minimum import price — reported as ₹50/kg by GTRI, with some reports of higher levels. FTA quotas set their own minimum CIF values. Confirm the current DGFT notification.
Do apples need a plant quarantine permit?
Yes. Fresh apples need an import permit under the Plant Quarantine Order 2003 issued before shipment, a phytosanitary certificate from the origin, and entry through a notified port.
Which countries supply apples to India?
Iran, Turkey, the USA, New Zealand, South Africa, Poland and Chile; Iran supplied over a third of the 2025/26 season.
How do FTA apple quotas work?
Under the India-NZ FTA, DGFT issues electronic quota authorisations; in-quota apples pay 25% duty if the CIF value is at least US$1.25/kg and they arrive between 1 April and 31 August.
Request a quote for Fresh Apples
Tell us grade, quantity and destination. We reply with options, packaging and pricing on your Incoterm.
Sources
- Research file 02 – India's import market (DGFT/DGCIS tables, Comtrade via Trading Economics)
- FreshPlaza – GTRI on Indian apple imports and tariffs
- FreshPlaza – India sets quotas/tariffs for NZ apples and kiwifruit
- FreshPlaza – India-US deal apple quotas and minimum price
- Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage
