The Indian grape harvest started early this year with initial demand from Russia, which has remained steady, it is not yet peak season but packing for Russia has been going for around 2 months already.
Early Indian grapes do not go to Europe as the sugar levels are not sufficient,
South Africa is also supplying Europe so India waits until the South African supply is winds down.
This year an earlier than expected closing of the South African season has seen greater demand for Indian grapes and consequently higher procurement prices for grapes of the right quality and MRLs for Europe, but when the high season comes they should go down, but they are looking forward to a very positive export season.
Pomegranates have had a good crop this year as well, water has been scarce but the fruit has been plentiful it has seen good prices.
"We have also had big sizes which helps the prices," said Shetty. "Last year it was different, we had lots of small sizes and had to take lower prices. This year more fruit has ensured that we can pick better sizes, we are sending more to East Asia as it is difficult get the MRLs and GlobalGap certificates in pomegranates so we have preferred to stay out of Europe, until now. This year however we will send more fruit to that market and are working on the certificates to increase volumes, but it is still in the starting stages, the logistics are difficult as the fields are far apart and keeping records of MLR's is challenging. Markets such as East Asia and Russia don't have these demands but of course Europe is a very important market and we want to be there so we are working towards this."
Deccan Produce will start exporting soon, they will try to get the gap before Peru starts exporting. Peru is big supplier and is well known for large size fruit and very good aril quality.
