UP Fruit Traders Upset 'Turkish Applecart' In Backlash Over Ankara's Pro-Pakistan Stance
From Ghaziabad to Gorakhpur and from Lucknow to Meerut, traders took to the streets and began pulling Turkish produce - most notably apples - off the shelves.
Uttar Pradesh traders too joined the growing boycott of Turkish goods across India on Tuesday, denouncing Ankara’s overt support to Pakistan in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack that killed 26 people, mainly Indian civilians. From Ghaziabad to Gorakhpur and from Lucknow to Meerut, traders took to the streets and began pulling Turkish produce – most notably apples – off the shelves.
The trigger: Turkey’s continued supply of drones and military technology to Pakistan, allegedly used in cross-border attacks on India. The outcry intensified after reports confirmed Ankara’s siding with Islamabad diplomatically and strategically, even as many nations condemned terrorism and extended support to India.
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‘Nation Comes First’
“We cannot allow our money to strengthen a country that helps Pakistan harm us," said Noor Mohammed, a fruit trader at Ghantaghar Mandi in Ghaziabad. “We learned from media reports that Turkey gave drones to Pakistan, and that was the final straw. Henceforth, no Turkish apple or fruit will be sold in our market."
India imports goods worth more than Rs 1,200 crore from Turkey annually. Of this, apples and other fresh fruits form a significant portion. While Turkish apples had carved out a space in Indian markets due to their quality and shelf life, traders now say ethics and patriotism come first.
“Business can wait. The nation comes first," said Shadab Khan, another vendor from the fruit wholesale market in Ghaziabad. “Turkey used to make crores through India, and we were fine with that. But if they’re going to use our trade to empower our enemies, they’ve lost all right to our market."
Prices Spike As Imports Halt
The boycott is already making its impact felt. Reports suggest wholesale prices of Iranian apples have jumped by Rs 200-300 per 10 kg box, while retail prices have shot up by Rs 20-30 per kg. Traders in several districts said they had cancelled upcoming consignments from Turkey and were actively seeking alternatives from Iran, Afghanistan, and local sources like Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir.
“We’ve asked all importers to stop placing new orders from Turkey. Whatever was already shipped will be the last batch," confirmed Ram Babu Verma, a wholesale agent in Lucknow’s Dubagga mandi.
Boycott Spreads Across Districts
This sentiment isn’t limited to Ghaziabad alone. In Lucknow, fruit traders across major mandis, including those in Aminabad and Indiranagar, echoed similar views, with some putting up banners declaring “No Turkish goods sold here".
In Meerut, local vendors and wholesalers participated in a symbolic burning of Turkish apple crates to register their protest. “We sell fruits for a living, but we are Indians first. We can’t sleep at night if we know our earnings helped a country that backs our killers," said Naseem Ansari, a prominent trader from the city.
In Gorakhpur, members of the local Vyapar Mandal have submitted a memorandum to the district administration demanding an official directive to discourage Turkish imports. The president of the traders’ association, Mahesh Gupta, said, “The boycott must be enforced on a broader scale. The government should intervene and stop all Turkish imports until Ankara publicly changes its stance."
Swadeshi Jagran Manch Backs Economic Retaliation
The economic protest is being strongly supported by nationalist organisations like the Swadeshi Jagran Manch (SJM), which released a statement calling for a blanket boycott of Turkish goods, services, and tourism.
“Despite being a NATO member and a self-proclaimed secular republic, Turkey has aligned itself with radical regimes hostile to India’s integrity," the SJM said in its official release. “Their support to Pakistan is not just strategic but ideological. It endangers South Asia’s stability and emboldens terrorist networks. India must respond by cutting all economic and cultural ties."
The SJM also reminded the public of India’s humanitarian gesture towards Turkey during its February 2023 earthquake disaster. “India was among the first to send NDRF teams, military medical units, and over 100 tons of relief material under Operation Dost," it noted. “Yet today, Turkey has chosen to stab us in the back by supporting our enemy."
Travel And Tourism To Take A Hit
The boycott wave has transcended the mandi system. Travel and hospitality companies like Ixigo and EaseMyTrip have suspended all bookings related to Turkey. MakeMyTrip (MMT), one of the biggest travel portals, has seen a 250% rise in cancellations, along with a 60% drop in bookings to Azerbaijan and Turkey during the past week.
Several social media handles have also joined the chorus, trending hashtags like #BoycottTurkey and #NationFirst.
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