Sanaa agricultural union condemns smuggling of imported apples into local markets

SANAA, May 25 (YPA) – The Sanaa-based Agricultural Cooperative Union strongly condemned the continued smuggling of imported apples into local markets.

In a statement on Monday, the union described the practice as a serious violation of national efforts aimed at supporting domestic agricultural production and achieving food self-sufficiency.

The statement called on relevant authorities to tighten oversight at border crossings and marketplaces and to take firm legal action against those involved in smuggling operations to protect both Yemeni farmers and national products.

It warned that the influx of smuggled apples poses a direct threat to the agricultural sector by weakening the competitiveness of local farms and causing significant financial losses due to the flooding of markets with imported produce at the expense of domestic growers.

It added that the illegal entry of foreign apples harms the national economy, undermines sustainable agricultural development, and damages confidence in Yemeni produce, which it said has demonstrated high quality in both local and foreign markets.

The statement stressed that such practices contradict official and public efforts to strengthen local production and economic resilience amid ongoing economic challenges.

The union also urged government institutions, community organizations, and media outlets to raise awareness about the dangers of smuggling and encourage consumers to support locally produced goods as part of broader efforts to reinforce self-reliance and national resilience.

The federation reaffirmed its commitment to supporting farmers, defending their rights, and developing agricultural value chains to promote sustainable development and confront all forms of smuggling targeting domestic production.