By Raziya Noor Edited by: Rahul Sharma Updated: Wed, 22 Oct 2025 06:15 (IST) There is good news for walnut growers in Kashmir as prices of Kashmiri walnuts have increased due to US tariffs. Farmers of Uri region get special benefit from this as they get better prices for their produce and their income increases. This is a good sign for the economic development of the Uri region. Jagran Correspondent, Srinagar. The 50 percent tariff imposed by US President Donald Trump on Indian goods may have had a negative impact on local trade. But this increase in tariff seems to be a boon for the walnut producers of the valley. Remove Advertisement Only Read News This kharif seems to be auspicious especially for the walnut growers of Uri area of Baramulla district. Because this has led to a dramatic rise in walnut prices after years of stability, the producers in the area are happy. The sought-after walnuts from the Lagma area of the region were not available for more than Rs 600 per kg. However, this season, prices have almost doubled to Rs 1,200 per kg, which is a welcome boost for both traders and producers. The domestic demand for Kashmiri walnuts has increased. Local traders attribute this unexpected price rise to changes in global trade, particularly the 50 percent tariff imposed by former US President Donald Trump on Indian goods. This move prompted India to reduce walnut imports, thereby increasing domestic demand for locally grown Kashmiri walnuts. Mohammad Amin Chalaku, president of the Uri-based Dry Fruits Association, said that this tariff was a boon for us. He said until last year, cheap foreign imports dominated the market. But now the focus is on Kashmiri walnuts and prices are skyrocketing. He said this is a big relief for local traders. It seems a boon for walnut farmers, who have long struggled with declining profits, that this year’s boom has brought long-awaited hope. Niaz Malik, a grower from Garkot village, said it felt like a blessing. We worked very hard for years but did not get much benefit. Now, for the first time, our product is getting the price it deserves. However, amid this encouraging environment, traders are calling on the government to reconsider the 5% goods and services tax (GST) levied on the sale of walnuts. Abdul Qadoos, another trader said, “We are grateful for the high prices. But GST is still eating into our profits. If the government reduces or removes this tax, both farmers and traders will benefit greatly. Lagama is famous for quality walnuts. Let us tell you that Lagama area of Uri region is famous for good and quality walnuts. The Lagama nut market is open for almost three months. mid November. Meanwhile, the high quality walnuts transport to major Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Gujarat. For more than a century, Lagma has been synonymous with the country’s finest walnut kernels. Located just four kilometers from the Line of Control (LOC) on the Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road, this market has a deep historical significance. A trader named Javed Shafi recalled, this market was active since before the partition of 1947. At that time, Uri was part of the Muzaffarabad district of present-day Pakistan-occupied Kashmir. Traders from both sides used to bring dry fruits including walnuts here to buy and sell. This year will be remembered as a profitable year. Shafi said that this trade was done by horse carts through the village of Silikot Hajipir sector which now we share is and the nearest point of LOC is. As the harvest season approaches its peak, traders in Lagama hope that this year will be remembered as one of the most profitable in recent times. It’s a revival for a market that has stood the test of time and battle.
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