Following a sharp decline last year in grape exports to China, India is now looking to increase shipments of the fruit to that country by 200 per cent within two years, through direct engagement of Chinese importers.
China’s grape imports from India declined by nearly 50 percent to 607 tonnes, worth $1.29 million, in 2017-18, from 1,123 tonnes valued $2.59 million the previous year. The decline, however, was due to quality deterioration and delay in dispatches last financial year.
The Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (Apeda), in association with the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry, made a prognosis on Tuesday, stating that exports of Indian grapes to China are likely to increase by 200 percent both in quantity and value terms by 2020.
“We have conducted a series of meetings with Chinese government officials following which they agreed to visit to the vineyards and packhouses in Nashik, Maharashtra. From China, 19 companies with 25 representatives participated, along with over 100 representatives from 54 companies from all over the world,” said Paban K Borthakur, Chairman, Apeda, while speaking on Tuesday at a buyer-seller meet in Mumbai, in which Chinese importers were present.
Interestingly, China’s phytosanitary agency has called for list of registered packhouses and vineyards in India for assessment and approval for grapes exports from India.
Source: business-standard.com
