Girish Sarda, founder of Indian fresh produce exporter Magnus Farm Fresh, is getting ready for the new grape season in India, which is expected to be a better one than last year: “The grape season of 2022-23, which lasts from November until April, for main markets like the EU, UK, and Russia is yet to kick off. Last season was lower than the industry expected. Grape exports to faraway markets, like Europe and Russia, suffered due to high freight rates, increased fixed costs such as labor and packaging material, fluctuations in the exchange rate and ever-increasing inflation.”
Magnus Farm Fresh is looking to enter new markets in South-East Asia this season, now that covid is no longer a hindering factor, for the most part. “Indian grapes remain high in demand and have gained popularity over the years in European and UK markets. Having attended the very recent Fruit Attraction, Madrid 2022, we have received a good amount of interest from existing and newer clients for the Indian grapes season of 2023. Varieties like Thompson seedless, Flame seedless, Sharad seedless, and Crimson seedless were of prime interest to grape importers looking for the Indian origin,” Sarda explains.
“Apart from usual markets, our focus post-covid is to maintain European volumes and expand our presence in South East Asia, the Far East, and the Middle-East. This strategy is also to tackle increasing supply chain costs to target closer markets with a strong demand for Indian grapes. Additionally, Indian grapes landing prices can be much more lucrative in SE Asian countries like Taiwan, Thailand, China, Hongkong, Singapore, and Malaysia, than competitor grape producing countries like Australia, South Africa, and Chile.”
“We expect Indian grape export volumes to traditional markets like EU, Russia and UK to remain similar to the past two or three years. For us, this means between 7,000 to 10,000 containers shipped only to the EU, UK and Russia. Our White Elongated and Black seedless are getting more demand in the South-East Asian market and we hope volumes to these market will increase this season. Magnus's focus is to slowly strengthen its presence in South-East Asia by marketing both grapes and pomegranates in this market.”
India is dealing with floods in multiple areas, and climate change in general is changing the way Sarda has to approach the season, he states: “Erratic rains and climate change has impacted pruning and harvesting cycles of Indian grape. For example, this year unseasonal rains in the Satana region, popular for growing early variety grapes, have resulted in about 15 to 20 per cent of the crops being lost. It has also delayed pruning and hence a delayed harvest. The Satana region exports its first shipments of Indian grapes to Russia in order for these shipments to reach their destination before Christmas and New Year’s.”
The Indian produce exporter is getting ready to exhibit during Asia Fruit Logistica in Thailand this year, after having already exhibited when the trade fair took place in Hong Kong. “In the past we had exhibited in Asia Fruit Logistica Hong Kong. This event in Thailand is happening after a gap of three years. We’re excited to meet our existing customers, as well as targeting new clients in Asian markets. By exhibiting at AFL - Bangkok this year, we want to market our three key propositions; Indian grapes, pomegranates and fresh cut fruits like pomegranate arils to the buyers across South-East Asia, China, and the Middle east. Through our presence at the fair, we want to reach out and meet as many fresh fruit importers, retail and supermarket chains and trading companies from Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, Hongkong, China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Indonesia. Our stand can be found at K59,” Sarda concludes.
For more information:
Girish Sarda
Magnus Farm Fresh
Tel/Whats App: +91 - 9167479099
Email: girish@magnusfarm.com
www.magnusfarm.com