IG International has launched Stemilt apples, packed at Hansen Fruit Company, a Yakima-based high-quality grower, packer and shipper. The first container of Stemilt apples packed at Hansen Fruit Company, which was recently acquired by Stemilt Growers, was unveiled at ULA-CFS along with a cake-cutting ceremony in Navi Mumbai on June 4, 2018. Dignitaries Ms. Aloma Fernandes from CMA-CGM, Dhruv Kotak of JM Baxi group and Adam Branson, Sr. Ag. Attache, Office of Agricultural Affairs; Foreign Agricultural Service; United States Department of Agriculture were present for the unveiling ceremony.
Commenting on the launch of Stemilt apples, Mr Tarun Arora, Director – IG International Pvt. Ltd, said, "I deeply want to congratulate Hansen family on this occasion of the arrival of the first container to India. I also would like to thank our partners CMA CGM & JM Baxi for helping us making this first container arrival so memorable. A big special thanks to entire team of Stemilt. I wish luck and success in future to both Stemilt Growers and Hansen Orchards"
Adam Branson, Sr. Agricultural Attaché for the U.S. Department of Agriculture office in Mumbai shared that, "Today's celebration is about the promise and potential of the Indian market for apples from the State of Washington. It is also a tribute to the success of the great partnerships that can be forged between Indian and American businesses like IG, Hansen Fruit, and Stemilt who care about quality, nutrition, food safety, plant health, and who want to support the development of the Indian market. Having lived in Mumbai these past four years, I am pleased to see commercial trade flourish and to see how the "apple" pie can grow so that more Indian consumers can benefit."
"We are happy to be a catalyst to IG’s continued growth and proud to be part of their association with Stemilt growers for the launch of Hansen Fruits Apples in India. We wish IG continued success" said Mr. Dhruv Kotak – Joint Managing Director – J M BAXI GROUP.
Aloma Fernandes, Area General Manager - Western and Central India,CMA-CGM,- said “We are extremely proud to see the association of CMA CGM, IG International and Stemilt growing from strength to strength. The arrival of the very first container of the Hansen fruit variety is a testimony to the growth we are experiencing as part of this partnership and the exciting future of growth it holds. Congratulations to Stemilt and IG International on this new achievement!”