With the expansion of upscale supermarkets in Bengaluru, India, the availability of exotic fruits and vegetables has increased. From Spain's heirloom tomatoes to Thailand's tender coconuts, the demand for imported produce is on the rise, according to industry insiders.
A study by Simpli Namdhari's indicates that 35% of its Bengaluru customers prefer exotic produce. Hema L, head of marketing, notes that the city's cosmopolitan crowd is health-conscious and open to diverse culinary experiences.
Blueberries from Peru, Morocco, and Chile, avocados from Tanzania, and kiwis from New Zealand are popular choices. "Imported items like blueberries and avocados are priced slightly higher than local produce due to transportation and import duties," says Hema. Other items include Murcott oranges from South Africa and China, apples from the USA and New Zealand, and dragon fruit from Vietnam.
Nature's Basket reports selling imported produce worth 18,293–24,390 US$ weekly in Bengaluru. Dragon fruit from Vietnam, avocados from Africa, New Zealand, and Australia, and blueberries from Peru, Chile, and the USA are popular. Vegetables such as sweet potatoes and celery are imported from Europe, states COO Sachin Agarwal.
Fresh Fruits on Brigade Road focuses on mangoes among Indian fruits, with guavas and pineapples from Thailand and Medjool dates from Saudi Arabia being popular. They also offer rambutans from Thailand and crimson grapes from the EU.
Foodstories stocks various tomato varieties from Spain and the Netherlands. "We only import fruits that are in season in the country of origin," explains Abhinav Gangumalla.
Gourmet Garden's co-founder, Vishal Narayanaswamy, notes a rise in demand for imported fruits like blueberries and kiwi, though customers prefer local vegetables.
Dr. Priyanka Singh advises that while trying imported produce is fine, local options should be prioritized for daily consumption.
Source: Deccan Herald