In the last decade, sales of apples and other imported fruits have grown rapidly in India. In 2001, a mere 4,000 boxes were sold in the entire country. By last year, this figure had hit 4 million.
Washington Apples is targeting annual India sales of 5 million boxes of 20 kg each.
The growth story is dictated by smaller markets. While the overall market of American apples is growing at around 15-20%, the smaller markets are growing at 25%. “We sell 30-35% of all apples imported from Washington in non-metros and smaller towns,” said Sumit Saran, director, SCS Group, an agri-business firm that markets Washington Apples in India.
With a burgeoning middle-class population of nearly 250-300 million that can afford imported produce, India is an important market. “Countries such as Chile and New Zealand are trying to penetrate the Indian market,” Saran said. At present, major exporters of apples to India are the US and China.
India imported 188,072 tonnes of apples in 2011-12 valued at Rs. 1,044 crore — a 44% rise in value-terms and 40% in terms of volume.
Source: www.hindustantimes.com
