Nuts and Dry Fruits Council of India Urges Walnut Import Duty Reform & GST Reduction Ahead of Budget
The Nuts and Dry Fruits Council of India (NDFC) has urged the government to restructure walnut import duty, reduce GST on dry fruits to 5%, and introduce a production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for the sector in its pre-budget recommendations.
India’s dry fruits market is expected to reach $12 billion by 2029, growing at an 18% CAGR. With Kashmir producing over 90% of India’s walnuts, NDFC President Gunjan V Jain stressed the need to support local farmers despite the 100% import duty.
Key Industry Demands:
✅ Per-Kilogram Import Duty – The council seeks a shift from percentage-based taxation to a fixed import duty of ₹150 per kg for walnuts, aligning it with almonds’ ₹35 per kg rate. Currently, India imports walnuts primarily from Chile and the USA to meet demand.
✅ GST Reduction on Dry Fruits – The NDFC recommends reducing GST from 18% to 5%, making dry fruits more affordable and boosting consumption.
✅ Production Expansion & PLI Scheme – The council has also proposed higher subsidies to expand walnut cultivation and reduce import dependency. A PLI scheme would particularly benefit small and medium-scale growers.
Challenges in Domestic Production:
NDFC Treasurer Yash Gawdi highlighted that despite rising demand, domestic production is lagging due to small land holdings, infrastructure gaps, low yields, and long gestation periods. The council is actively promoting walnut plantation drives in Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, with a target of 2 lakh trees in two years.
MEWA India Trade Show 2025:
The second edition of MEWA India, scheduled for February 11-14 in Mumbai, will host 300+ exhibitors from 50+ countries, with 22 nations already confirming participation.
India, the world’s second-largest dry fruit consumer after the USA, is also collaborating with Chilean industry leaders for technology transfer and knowledge sharing, aiming for long-term industry growth.
