The local pomegranate market in India is quite good at the moment, and this, according to Nandkumar Ahire of Jay Agro Export, "We don’t really have to depend on the export market. Right now, only about 10 to 15% of our production is exported to other countries, partly to Europe, but mostly to the Middle East, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and other south eastern countries, like Thailand or Malaysia.”
In India, the main high season for pomegranates lasts from September to December and other peaks take place in February-March and June-August, but the same varieties are offered all year-round. At Jay Agro export, they work mostly with the Bhagwa and the Arakta, although the latter is mostly intended for juice production. In India, the purchasing power is growing and the local market is demanding higher quality material.
He explains that the country’s pomegranate acreage is expanding every year, so competition is also likely to become tougher, even though growers in Maharashtra are very much affected by drought. “Domestic prices now stand at around 50 rupees/kg (0.68 Euro), depending on the quality, while pomegranates for export cost around 100 rupees/kg (1.36 Euro). Both of these prices are higher than what was achieved last year.”
Ahire confirms to be really satisfied with the growing popularity of pomegranates, and he thinks that there is a huge market for pomegranate juices in the retail and good opportunities also for arils. ”All in all, he expects his company’s production to continue increasing, as some varieties are delivering a higher yield per hectare and efforts have also gone into improving the quality.”
