India: Pomegranate exports could take a beating

The devastating floods in Koppal district could well have an impact on distant France, Germany and Great Britain too. At least in the price of
pomegranates. Growers in Kustagi of Koppal district and exporters of this fruit feel this could be the case very soon.

Apart from the ones from Spain, Kustagi pomegranates are much sought after in Europe and Dubai, especially between December and April. It's said the demand for Kustagi pomegranates will decrease once the varieties from Spain and Iran start flooding European markets as they are cheaper. After April, only connoisseurs go in for Kustagi pomegranates, say exporters.

While Kustagi taluk alone contributes 30% of the state's production, Koppal district accounts for 40% of the state's total yield. Of 16,000 acres under pomegranate cultivation in Koppal district, about 10,000 acres are in Kustagi taluk. Though last week's heavy rain and floods have not damaged the crop in the taluk, pomegranate trees cannot withstand heavy rain, says Amaresh Shetty, a farmer from Kustagi, who said that heavy rain and high moisture lead to large-scale flower dropping which results in lower yield.

Shetty said this is the time for the crop to bloom. But due to rain and floods, the flowers automatically fall. Each acre yields between 5 and 10 tonnes of fruit.

"Now, I'm worried whether we can recover the cost incurred on crop maintenance which could be between Rs 40,000 and Rs 50,000 per acre," he said, terming pomegranate cultivation as "gambling with nature".

Meanwhile, exporters from Bangalore, Mumbai and Chennai are worried as they could lose a year's business if they will fail to meet commitments to dealers in Europe. Exporter Sewasingh from Bangalore said he used to export Kustagi pomegranates worth Rs 15 crore to European countries between December and April when there's no crop in Spain and Iran.

"Actually, now it is the flowering season and our exports will start along with crop yield in December. But, large-scale flower dropping will not only result in reduced yields but fruits won't be export quality," Sewasingh said, adding that he'd export 75 containers (each worth Rs 20 lakh and Rs 22 lakh). Apart from India, Spain and Iran, Afghanistan is the other major producer of pomegranates.



Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Publication date: 10/12/2009

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