- November 27, 2018
EXPORTS OF INDIAN GRAPES TO CHINA EXPECTED TO RISE BY 200% BY 2020 : APEDA & PHDCCI
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) in association with PHDCCI on Tuesday made a prognosis, stating that the exports of Indian grapes to China are likely to increase by 200% both in quantity and value terms by 2020. Currently, the estimated exports of Indian grapes away to China are pegged at 600 million tonnes.
“APEDA is making efforts to expand its export market to China. The collective efforts of Ministry of Commerce and Industry through APEDA in association with the grape growing states, and the National Research Centre for grapes is making efforts to improve the quality of fresh grapes. The promotional schemes of Central and State Governments will boost the export of Indian grapes and other tropical fruits”, said the statement issued here.
Chairman, APEDA, Mr. Paban K. Borthakur shared the initiatives taken by APEDA here today for boosting exports and further assessment of exports scenario. While welcoming the delegates of the 3 Days event which includes the Reverse Buyers Sellers Meet and visit of Chinese buyers / importers to the Grape Farms and pack houses in Nashik, Mr. Borthakur informed that on the initative of Ministry of Commerce and Embassy of India in Beijing, and series of meetings of officials of both the sides, it was decided to send a delegation of Chinese importers to have B2B meetings in Mumbai followed by trust building visit to the vineyards and packhouse facilities in Nashik. He informed that 19 companies with 25 representatives have participated along with over 100 representatives from 54 companies.
APEDA and PHD Chambers of Commerce and Industry, the organisers of the RBSM elaborated that India is the fruit basket of the world and provides a large number of varieties of quality and tasty tropical fruits of large range. He informed that India is among the first ten countries in the world in the production of grapes.
The 5 major producers of grape are Italy, France, Spain, USA, Turkey. This crop occupies fifth position amongst fruit crops in India with a production of 2.6 million tonnes (around 3% of world’s production of 77 million tonnes) from an area of 0.13 million ha. The area under grape is 2 % of the total area of fruit crops in the country.
Production is 2.8% of total fruits produced in the country. Indian grapes are successfully grown at and above 250 mean sea level. India grows nearly 20 varieties of Grapes – coloured, white, seeded, unseeded, large and small berries but Thompson Seedless is the ruling grape variety occupying 55% of the area with its clones.
Major grape-growing states are Maharashtra (81.22 % of total production and highest productivity) Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and the north-western region covering Punjab, Haryana, western Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.
APEDA under Ministry of Commerce and Industry has been instrumental in promoting quality agri-products. As per its mandate, APEDA has provided support for the required Infrastructure across the country in terms of Pack-houses with Post-Harvest Treatment facilities and Centre for Perishable Cargo Agro Complex at major Airports.
This has helped the industry to increase their exports of quality produce up to a large extent. Considering the requirement of Food Safety and Traceability by importing countries, India has taken number of measures by strengthening the backward linkage in the production supply chain, setting up of required infrastructure in terms of Packhouses and Post-Harvest Treatment Facilities which has enabled to get market access for fruits in various countries in the past.
According to Chairman, APEDA, Mr. Borthakur , the possibilities are rising for larger acceptability of Indian fresh fruits and vegetables such as mangos, pineapples, pomegranate, bananas and grapes in huge quantities in countries such as Japan, China, South Korea, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Iran, Bahrain Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Ghana, Israel, Thailand, UK, Mauritius, Malaysia, Greece, Egypt and UAE.
Ms Zhong Lishan, From Guangdong China Imported food Association and the leader of the Chinese delegation in her presentation shaid that China is keen to increase import of grapes from India based on increasing demand for grapes in China which is at present from other destinations like Chile and USA.
The program was joined by Shri V Chaturvedi, Joint DGFT, representatives of the state horticulture department and NRC Grapes.
After the BSM on 27th, and field visits to Vineyards in Nashik, it is expected that exports will rise to around 1000 MT (approx. 2.60 Million USD) this year and reach a level of 2000 MT, approximating a value of 5.2 USD by next year.
Koteshwar Prasad Dobhal
Consultant (PR)
