Prices for apples in India have decreased by a fair bit, as they are of average quality, says Prashant Gidwani, director at Fresh Fruit Alliances Pvt. Ltd: "The current domestic apple market in India seems to be facing challenges. Slow demand coupled with average quality has led to a drop in prices. This indicates a less favourable situation for domestic production, as the market is not performing as well as expected."
Apples from Poland and Turkey have come to an early stop. Gidwani thinks this is due to the longer transit time, as shipments now have to travel via the Cape route. "Fresh season crops from the southern hemisphere origins, such as South Africa and New Zealand, are performing well in terms of imports. However, imports from northern hemisphere origins are facing challenges. Specifically, Turkey and Poland have stopped sending shipments earlier than usual. This could be attributed to the longer transit time via the Cape route, which may have impacted the quality of the fruit, leading to an earlier halt in shipments."
For the Indian consumers, price is everything. Which means most apple importers in India will focus purely on the lowest price possible. Gidwani states this is different for his company: "When selecting an origin for apple imports, price remains a crucial factor, as India is primarily a price-driven market. Therefore, while considering origins, importers prioritize competitive pricing to remain competitive in the market and meet consumer demand. While price competitiveness is vital in origin selection, at Fresh Fruit Alliances, we prioritize top-notch quality. Our steadfast dedication to delivering premium produce to consumers guides our choice of origins, ensuring they enjoy superior taste experiences with every purchase."
Looking at the current prices of apples in the Indian market, Gidwani emphasizes the low prices provide an opportunity for consumers to try out higher quality apples than they would usually be able to. "The prices of apples are currently very low, which is beneficial for Indian consumers. This situation allows consumers to enjoy a wide range of apple products from different countries at favourable prices. The lower prices also create opportunities for consumers to access high-quality apples at more affordable rates, thus enhancing their purchasing power and providing greater variety in their consumption choices."
"I expect the upcoming months to be a customer's market. This is due to the accumulation of stocks in cold rooms, coupled with a significant volume of the local crop in Controlled Atmosphere (CA) Rooms. The local crop is available in good volumes and is being aggressively priced, likely due to selling pressure. Therefore, consumers can anticipate a favourable market environment with competitive pricing and ample availability of apple products in the coming months," Gidwani concludes.
For more information:
Prashant Gidwani
Fresh Fruit Alliances Pvt. Ltd.
Email: [email protected]
www.freshfruitalliances.com