In partnership with Rijk Zwaan, the Indian trading company IG International is introducing Sweet Palermo® in the Indian market. The sweet pointed peppers in four different colors are a good fit with the Indian trading company’s mission to keep inspiring consumers with colorful, healthy, and high-quality fresh produce. Among other things, Sweet Palermo stands out thanks to its appealing flavor, its versatility, and its high nutritional value. The partnership agreement was officially signed during the recent Fruit Logistica in Berlin.
Nowadays, Tarun Arora, the younger scion of the Arora family, leads the young corporate team with his innovative and modern outlook. He reveals why he likes Sweet Palermo so much: “The Indian market always has scope for healthy and nutritious products. Moreover, Indian customers like sweetness in food, and they are interested in tasty and healthy snacks. The unique qualities of Sweet Palermo are a perfect fit for it. It is a healthy, versatile, and convenient product in bright colors that directly attract people’s attention.”
When asked about the partnership with Rijk Zwaan, Arora says: “Due to the market practices in India, there is a need for backwards integration. In other words, Sweet Palermo must be grown locally in India by a single company to guarantee the production of premium-quality Sweet Palermos all year round. Additionally, it is important that these sweet pointed peppers are cultivated using the latest methods and technology. IG International’s Agri team will be doing this in coordination with the local and international teams from Rijk Zwaan.”
The partnership between IG International and Rijk Zwaan is not only focused on cultivation but also on brand promotion. The two companies will be working together to make consumers aware of both the sweet taste and health benefits of Sweet Palermo. “Because it is such a new and unique product, we will be deploying our marketing and promotion teams to interact with consumers face to face and to inspire them with its recipes. We will be doing that online too, through e-commerce platforms, Instagram, and many other popular websites. We expect to be able to benefit from Rijk Zwaan’s experience with Sweet Palermo in other countries. If we can promote Sweet Palermo to the right customers in the right way, we can generate long-lasting demand,” explains Arora.
Ajit Kumar Bisoi, Chain Manager at Rijk Zwaan India, is excited about the partnership: “We were already in discussions with IG International regarding Rijk Zwaan’s premium melon segment. We’re delighted that the trading company has now decided to expand its portfolio with our sweet pointed peppers. We highly value this opportunity to work together with such a well-established and rapidly growing global organization. This is one way we’re helping to share a healthy future for India.”
IG International is one of India’s biggest importers of fresh fruit. Since being founded more than 50 years ago, the company has built up an efficient supply chain for providing high-quality fresh fruits, including blueberries, apples, dragon fruits, cherries, and kiwis. It has a stronghold in 27 cities across India, supported by over 15 cold storages and dozens of refrigerator trucks. Besides its import activities, IG International increasingly takes the initiative to arrange for products to be grown locally, as in the case of Sweet Palermo. This is in line with the vision of Gian Chand Arora, the charismatic founder of the company. It is due to his rich experience and business acumen that the international trading company has such a strong base.
Rijk Zwaan