Lagatar24 Desk
New Delhi: Fruit traders in Rajasthan’s Alwar have joined a growing nationwide boycott of Turkish products, suspending all sales of Turkish apples in protest against Turkiye’s open support for Pakistan amid India’s recent counter-terror military action, Operation Sindoor.
Economic protest in response to geopolitical tension
The Alwar Fruit Mandi Union announced a complete halt in Turkish apple sales, aligning with other trade bodies reacting to Turkiye’s perceived anti-India stance. According to the union, this move is more than a commercial choice — it is a symbolic economic response. “Due to Turkiye’s stand against India, we’ve decided to stop selling them. This is not just a market decision, it’s a message,” said Saurabh Kalra, General Secretary of the union.
From Friday, fruit shops in Alwar will display posters stating “Boycott of Turkish apples,” and an awareness campaign is being launched to prevent their sale. The union warned that any trader found selling Turkish apples would be viewed as acting against the nation’s interest.
Replacements and wider economic pushback
The Alwar union confirmed that apples from Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and South Africa will now fill the supply gap. “We have enough stock in cold storages to meet consumer demand,” said union secretary Pankaj Saini.
This local boycott echoes a broader trend. In Ajmer, marble traders have already halted imports of Turkish stones, and similar boycotts have taken place in Delhi and Mumbai fruit markets.
Travel advisories and national sentiment
Beyond trade, the backlash extends to tourism. Major Indian travel platforms like EaseMyTrip and Ixigo have issued advisories discouraging travel to Turkiye and Azerbaijan. MakeMyTrip has reportedly stopped promoting travel offers to these destinations. The traders’ union also urged citizens to choose alternative tourist destinations in response to Turkiye’s alignment with Pakistan.
India reportedly took note of Turkiye’s alleged supply of drones to Pakistan during recent border tensions, adding fuel to the boycott calls. Turkiye exports over ₹1,200 crore worth of goods annually to India, with fruit, especially apples, comprising a key share.
