India's imported grape market has shown resilience despite navigating a competitive landscape with local supply. Yogesh Rathod, Director at Nova Fresco, an Indian importer of fresh and dry fruits, says: "The Chilean season of grapes has progressed well with consistent quality and regular supplies."
From April to late May, Nova Fresco sourced grapes from Chile, with shipments sold through mid-June. "We worked with reliable suppliers like FruChile," Yogesh mentions. By late June, the company will transition to China, despite lingering Chilean grapes in the market. "We had a very good experience by partnering with a Shanghai-based Fruit CEO," he adds, expecting continued quality for Indian consumers.
© Nova Fresco
"The prices and quality of grapes are much better than the previous season," Yogesh states. However, mid-season oversupply from Chile and competition from cheaper, high-quality local Indian grapes posed challenges. "Things were moving very slowly in the first two weeks of May," he explains, citing a sufficient local supply. "The mid-season issue was managed with good support of our sales team and well-connected distribution network," Yogesh notes, highlighting proactive sales through branches in the metro cities of New Delhi and Kolkata.
© Nova Fresco
Yogesh also points to shifting consumer preferences, which he says will diversify India's grape market. "While Red Globe remains the top variety, Chinese varieties like Shine Muscat, Moon Drop, Autumn Royal, and an unnamed black variety are gaining traction. Indian consumers are becoming more aware of newer varieties of grapes from China," he adds, noting favorable results from last season's trials and plans to expand these offerings in 2025.
© Nova Fresco
Looking ahead, Yogesh anticipates strong demand with the festive season's onset from Week 33 onwards. "Two weeks before Ganesh Chaturthi, a major Hindu festival widely celebrated in India, especially Maharashtra, the market demand slowly starts to improve," he says. Despite the monsoon season typically being slow, Nova Fresco expects sustained momentum as consumer demand for quality grapes rises.
Beyond imports, Nova Fresco dually supports local agriculture. "We sold around 300 tons of Indian grapes this season. Our company facilitates local grape sourcing to support farmers while ensuring market transparency and fair prices," Yogesh concludes.
For more information:
Yogesh Rathod
Nova Fresco
Tel: +919320123143
Email: [email protected]
www.frescogroup.co.in
