The Indian grape season has started once more at Global Fresh International (GFI). Together with their Indian partner Freshtrop, the company serves a wide mix of retail and wholesale customers in China and countries in Southeast Asia such as Vietnam, Thailand and Singapore. "Finger shape grapes in particular are doing very well on the Asian market," says Arie van Helden.
The Indian grape season started two to three weeks later than in other years, partly due to rainfall. "But we never start the Asian season first. The Asian markets are so selective about the taste and sugar content of the grapes that we never want to have the earliest grapes on the market," says the exporter. "Citrus and grapes are our specialty all year round and India is an important part of this."
"The window of the India season is very interesting for Asia. Especially in the second half of the season there are few alternatives available for white, seedless grapes," Arie says. "Chile has had a lot of rain. There has also been a lot of rain in certain South African growing areas and the season for white seedless grapes is already ending. That offers many opportunities for the Indian season. This season does indeed run quite synchronous with Australia, but for various reasons that export flow is not going too smoothly either. "
From India, GFI mainly supplies white and black seedless grapes to the Asian market. "The Sonaka, a mutant of Thompson, in particular, is doing very well on the Asian market. This finger shape variety differs from the Thompson and distinguishes itself in taste. The finger shape grapes in black seedless are also very popular. If nothing too crazy happens, we expect to provide arrivals of Indian grapes to our customers until mid-May. "
Global Fresh International brings customers into contact with a worldwide network of selected fruit growers. "Our experienced specialists know the market through and through, and respond proactively to it. Everything revolves around connections. Only through working with reliable partners can we supply our customers with the best possible products of the right quality."
"It is no coincidence that we call ourselves the connection from crop to shop. The COVID year presents both challenges and opportunities for us. Everyone is very reluctant and it becomes clear again how important it is that you have short and good contact with customers! "
"We have programmes with retailers in Hong Kong, China, Thailand and Singapore, mostly under a private label, but we also serve the wholesale markets. This requires a completely different approach, but this is also taking hold and gives us a good mix of customers on the Asian market," concludes Arie.
For more information:
Arie van Helden
Global Fresh International 
arie@globalfreshint.com
www.globalfreshint.com