The date season in India is getting close to an end. Although volumes are down slightly compared to other the previous season, quality has been good this year. The major challenge is the increased price, as there are only cargo freights available since the pandemic started, and getting your produce on these flights is costly.
The date season is about to wrap up after a good season, states Himant Chavda, chairman for Indian fruit exporter Krish International. “The season has been going well, as the demand for our fresh Barhi dates is quite high. The fact our dates are both sweet and crunchy and cultivated in an organic manner is what saved the season, despite the pandemic going on. We expect the season will come to an end around the 10th of August.”
Since the clients of Krish are spread all over the world, it’s necessary to get the dates to their destination via air. The costs for shipping out produce by plane is very high at the moment, Chavda explains. “Compared to the previous season, we’ve had slightly less volumes this year. This combined with the scarce availability of international flights have caused the prices to increase too much for comfort. Ever since Covid-19 hit, the only option is to use cargo freight. The rates for these flights are very expensive this year. Prices are getting so high that it actually reduced the demand somewhat. We’ve still been able to ship our dates to the regular markets though, where demand was good. Europe, Canada, Asian countries and the Gulf have been steady customers of Indian dates this season.”
“Luckily the feedback we’re receiving from clients is quite positive, despite the higher prices. We still have a few weeks to go on the season, but we’ll be looking back at a successful season, despite all the challenges that the pandemic brought with it. There’s still time to get orders in, so we hope demand stays stable for the upcoming finale of the season.” Chavda concludes.
For more information:
Himant Chavda
Krish International
Tel: +917878119473
Email: hemantchavda_1@yahoo.co.in
https://www.barhidatesindia.com/