Maagrita Exports Ltd, the private promoter in the Agri Export Zone for mangoes in south Tamil Nadu, has commenced export of fresh mangoes from its processing facility in the Nilakottai Food Park near Madurai.

Mangoes being graded at Maagrita's facility in Madurai.

According to Mr Arvind Rathnam, Strategic Consultant - international operations, Maagrita Exports, the company has invested about Rs 20 crore for the project. Transglobal Technologies Inc, a US-based telecom solutions provider, is the parent company of Maagrita Exports.

Well-equipped facility

Maagrita has a completely integrated line for processing, storing and exporting fresh mangoes. The facility is also equipped to process a range of fresh fruits including sapota, orange, papaya and jackfruit.

In addition to fresh fruit exports, there is a pulping line to produce fruit pulp, including mango and papaya pulp, dehydrating fruits and vegetables, and for pickling. It can produce dehydrated mangoes, tomatoes, papaya, banana, chillies and bitter gourd.

The unit, the first to commence operations at the Agri-Export Zone, was completed about four months ago and has put its product in the Singapore market, and is in the process of exporting fresh mangoes to West Asia , Colombo, Malaysia, Jakarta and Hong Kong. Maagrita is using the air and sea routes to export its products to give it a wider reach in the international markets, he said.

Business plans

During the on-going season, it plans to ship over 25 reefer containers - about 15 tonnes of mangoes a container - to the UK, France and Germany. It will also airlift stocks to the nearer markets. Its business plan for the first year is about Rs 12-15 crore and its target markets are Europe and Asia Pacific. It is also planning to access China and Japan next year, he said.

The produce will be exported under Maagrita brand and for bulk buyers such as supermarket chains, in the buyers' brands, he said. The unit has a capacity to handle over 2,500 tonnes of fresh fruits and vegetables apart from the pulping and pickling lines, which take its total capacity to 7,500 tonnes.

According to Mr Rathnam, the company is tying up with international buyers and it has strong partners in the UK and Australia. Maagrita has a locational advantage being at the heart of a region known for horticulture produce.

Export zone

The Agriculture and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority has identified Madurai, Dindigul, Theni, Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari and Virudhunagar for development as an export zone for mangoes.

Here mango is produced over an area of about 30,500 hectares with the production estimated at about one lakh tonnes. About 15 per cent of the production is estimated to be the internationally recognised variety, Alfonso, and another 15 per cent the other popular export variety - Banganapalle or Banesar.

Opportunity

Also, Mr Rathnam says: "The season starts after Maharashtra's Alfonso season ends in April." The company sees this as a commercial opportunity to be exploited.

Mr R. Shankaran, Agri-Consultant, Maagrita Exports, said the facilities such as controlled atmosphere storage and temperature treatment for fresh fruits help them to improve shelf life of the fruits and enable them to reach Europe, which is 22 days sailing time.

The computerised facilities address a major concern of international buyers, quality and consistency. Both are assured by the modern equipment and systems followed at the facility.

Source