Indian produce set to level the trade deficit with the Far East

India is a big importer of Chinese products, while China imports just a few grapes from India. This is because by default India’s main markets have been in the Gulf region and in Europe. According to Rajaram Sangle, Director of Sangle Agro Processing Pvt Ltd: “Our Company has been growing fresh produce for the last 15 years and we currently have 300 hectares of land for the production of grapes, pomegranates, vegetables and other organic products. We are available in UK, Europe, Dubai, Saudi, Malaysia and Hong Kong, but we would love to do more business in the East in countries such as China, Korea, Taiwan and Thailand. I want to test the market there, and understand the customers and what it is they really want. Some sources say that East Asia will be interested in our different coloured varieties of grapes.”

“Besides the countries I’ve mentioned earlier, we are also looking at Cambodia and Vietnam in the long run. In the bigger picture Thailand and Taiwan are already importing fruits from India in small volumes. China day by day has been increasing their import volumes, and more & more Indian exporters are entering China, since China does not produce grapes when India have grapes production. It currently imports grapes from Chile. Right now we do around 100 – 200 containers to China but we expect to grow that number to about 1000 during next 2-3 YEARS ,” says Sangle. 

Organic products are getting quite popular in the more developed and premium markets, such as Europe, UK, Gulf region and parts of Asia. “Our organic onions are a new frontier that we would want to grow. We have the necessary certificates to grow them. For the domestic market, it is too expensive. This is why we are looking outwards in order to grow our business.”

Sangle added that region of Maharashtra is blessed with less rain and no floods compared to other provinces in India. They have the infrastructure in terms of land and packing houses to grow both their business in Asia and organic onions business. “The Indian Government is also investing in new technology to help our farmers. A lot of factors are favorable to us at the moment and we are convinced that our business will soar in the near future.”

For more information:
Rajaram Sangle
Sangle Agro Processing Pvt. Ltd. (India)
Phone: +91 2532592040
Fax: +91 253 2502020
Mobile: +919422245020
Email: [email protected]

Author: Lawin Ileto / Yzza Ibrahim