Boycott Turkiye, Azerbaijan gains momentum in Prayagraj

Prayagraj: Amid nationwide economic backlash against Turkiye gaining traction in the country, consumer boycotts have hit Turkish goods hard in Prayagraj too.

Turkiye is facing massive backlash for supporting Pakistan following Operation Sindoor launched by India to avenge Pahalgam terrorist attack. Pakistan had also used Turkish drones on a large scale in the military conflict with India.

Be it imported apples or tour packages to Istanbul or Baku, locals have made up their minds to boycott both Azerbaijan and Turkiye that openly sided with Pakistan.

The commission agents of Mundera Mandi, the largest fruit market in Prayagraj, have decided to stop accepting apple consignments imported from Turkiye. Instead, they are demanding only those varieties stored from Himachal Pradesh and Kashmir. This shift is also noticeable among local consumers in the Sangam City, who have started questioning fruit vendors about the origin of apples before purchasing.

Turkish apples typically begin arriving in Prayagraj markets after Holi and hold a significant share until July. Along with apples from Washington and other international varieties, Turkish apples have been a staple during this period. However, due to the country's pro-Pakistan stance post-Operation Sindoor, the fruit business in Prayagraj is turning its back on Turkish imports. The boycott is being driven not only by sentiment but also by the traders' organised efforts.

Dhananjay Singh Patel, the patron of the Fruit Vegetable Trade Federation in Mundera Mandi, said that the traders have clearly directed the main suppliers, especially from Delhi, not to send Turkish apples. He emphasised that apples worth Rs 60–70 lakh are sold daily in the Prayagraj market. Additionally, apples from this mandi are distributed to neighbouring districts, amplifying the impact of the decision. Patel also mentioned that Delhi's Azadpur Mandi has joined in the boycott, strengthening the movement.

Pramod Yadav, general secretary of the federation, reiterated that the decision to halt the import of Turkish apples is unanimous among traders. Prominent local traders, including Sarfaraz Ahmed and Shriram Singh Rathore, also confirmed that sales of Turkish apples have completely stopped. The market will now focus on apples from Himachal Pradesh as well as from countries like South Africa, New Zealand, and Chile.

CAT has extended the boycott to all kinds of trade with Turkiye and Azerbaijan. Mahendra Goyal of CAT emphasised that this movement is aimed at defending the nation's sovereignty and security. He noted that the boycott is not limited to apples; Prayagraj also imports marble, chocolate, and jewellery in large quantities from Turkey. Turkish marble is especially popular for its design and shine. According to Goyal, the trade boycott could result in a loss of up to Rs 1,000 crore annually for Turkiye and Azerbaijan from Prayagraj alone. He urged both traders and consumers to check barcodes on products to identify their country of origin before making purchases.

Beyond trade, the tourism sector in Prayagraj is also witnessing a strong response. Tour operators have stopped promoting and booking trips to Istanbul (Turkiye) and Baku (Azerbaijan). Social media and WhatsApp messages advertising Turkish destinations like Istanbul are being removed.

Sandeep Mishra of Travels Safe said that all tour operators stand united with the country and are seeing a similar sentiment among travellers. Many people have cancelled their tour packages to Turkey on their own. Turkey has now been excluded from the Europe travel itineraries being offered. Vishal Kanaujia, another tour operator, said that the exclusion of Turkey from European travel packages is being implemented for clients not just in Prayagraj but also from Pratapgarh, Kaushambi, Chitrakoot, Mirzapur, Bhadohi, and Rewa districts.