Pune Traders Remove Turkish Apples from Shelves Over Country’s Support for Pakistan

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A “Ban Turkey” campaign has been initiated in Pune, calling for a boycott of Turkish imports in response to Turkey’s open support for Pakistan amid escalating military tensions with India, particularly following the recent Pahalgam terror attack.Traders across the city have begun withdrawing Turkish apples from their inventory, which have now virtually vanished from Pune’s markets. Reports from news agency ANI indicate that buyers are specifically avoiding apples sourced from Turkey.

“We have decided to stop purchasing apples from Turkey due to its support for Pakistan, and we prefer to buy apples from Himachal and other regions instead. India is taking action against terrorism, while Turkey continues to supply drones to Pakistan,” stated Suyog Zende, an apple trader at Pune’s Agricultural Produce & Livestock Market Committee (APMC).Turkish-made Kamikaze drones were recently recovered from a village in the Nowshera area of Jammu and Kashmir after the Pakistan Army deployed drones targeting Indian cities in retaliation for India’s anti-terror Operation Sindoor. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also expressed solidarity with Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif over the phone following India’s strikes on terror camps and air bases in Pakistan.Turkey has consistently supported Pakistan on the Kashmir issue, referring to Pakistan as “Ankara’s brother.”

Amid these tensions, Turkey sent military assets, including six military aircraft and a warship, to Pakistan.Traders emphasize that the boycott is not merely a financial decision but a symbolic gesture of support for the Indian armed forces and government. “When there was an earthquake in Turkey, India was the first to offer assistance, yet Turkey chose to support Pakistan…” Zende added.The boycott is poised to significantly impact Pune’s fruit market, as Turkish apples typically contribute to a seasonal turnover of Rs 1,000 to 1,200 crores.