With retaliatory tariffs in place, Washington state apple growers have continuously lost market share in India, the lawmakers said.
Prior to the implementation of these tariffs, India was our number two export market, valued at USD 120 million annually, they said.
Last season, growers exported fruits barely worth USD 3 million.
As growers have watched hard-earned market share and sales evaporate, their competitors in other countries have gained more of the market share, they said.
The lawmakers in their letter dated January 10, urged Tai and Raimondo to raise the issue with visiting Indian Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. The India-US Trade Policy Forum (TPF) meeting was held on January 11.
“The damage inflicted by the retaliatory tariffs on tree fruit growers, their employees, and communities is clear and a solution is long overdue. On behalf of the many stakeholders throughout our region, we appreciate your attention to this matter," the letter said.
"Following the TPF, we request that you meet with members of the Pacific Northwest tree fruit industry to discuss the next steps to remove the retaliatory tariffs,” it said.
According to the lawmakers, continued export losses coincide with the ongoing cost-of-production increases that are forcing multi-generational family farms out of business.
The 'Red Delicious' variety accounts for nearly all the exports to India.