India only appeared on the map for nut producers last year. In fact, in the last season, Chile only exported about 400 tons of nuts to this country, i.e. less than 1% of all Chilean nut exports. However, India could be the dark horse in this scenario. Mufaddal Yusuf, the general manager of Tajir, one of the major importers of foods from India, believes this could be the case. Yusuf was in the last Sial fair in Paris, where he met with Chilean exporters. According to Yusuf, the approval of the use of phosphine for the fumigation of Chilean nuts will streamline the import process.
"There is great potential for Chilean nuts. India has been buying nuts from the Mediterranean for a long time, and from California in recent years. The arrival of Chile was a natural step. Since Chile is in the southern hemisphere, their product would arrive on time for the fasting season (for Muslims)."
Mufaddal Yusuf said that the consumption of nuts had increased in northern and western India, in Bombay and Delhi, and in states like Rajasthan, Punjab, and Kashmir. "Consumption is growing. People are eating healthier, they are abandoning the snacks and typical fritters and starting to eat more nuts," he added.
Source: El Mercurio