The domestic apple production in India is hindering the imports from European countries, says Prashant Gidwani, founder of Indian fruit importer Fresh Fruit Alliances: "Currently, India is in its domestic apple season, which typically runs from July to November. This period has seen a robust supply of apples, primarily from key growing regions, such as Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. The harvest this year has been satisfactory, causing demand to temporarily average. Overall though, the present situation for apples in India is quite mixed. On one hand, on average, this year's local crop is about 25 per cent smaller than last season, but the quality has seen a significant improvement along with better sizes."
Gidwani emphasizes that some growers are a bit cautious of storing their apples in cold rooms. "On the other hand, the volume of apples going into cold storage and controlled atmosphere (CA) rooms has dropped by 30 to 40 per cent, compared to last year. This decline is primarily due to low market confidence, as many traders and growers faced substantial losses in the previous season. Consequently, many producers are reluctant to invest in storage, which affects their inventory management. In summary, while the quality of apples has improved, overall supply is limited, and market sentiment remains cautious due to past challenges. This combination poses difficulties for growers and traders as they navigate the current season."
For some origins, imports are currently arriving, while U.S. and Chinese apples are not seeing a lot of activity so far, Gidwani says: "Currently, we're seeing limited imports in the market, due to the peak of the local apple season. However, shipments from Turkey and Poland have just begun, and they seem poised to make a notable impact. Both origins are known for producing quality apples, and it will be interesting to see how they compete with domestic varieties. However, origins like the U.S. and China, which traditionally supply a significant portion of apples to the Indian market, have not seen much activity this season. This could be due to a combination of factors, including logistics and the strength of local production. As the market evolves, it will be essential to keep an eye on how these dynamics unfold and whether import volumes from these origins increase later in the season."
According to Gidwani, the longer transit time is making it difficult for imports to compete with the domestic apple harvest. "The current logistical situation is quite challenging, with longer transit times and rising shipping costs creating difficulties for imports. These extended delays make it hard to deliver fresh produce on time, which is crucial for maintaining the quality of perishable items. If these conditions continue, they will likely hinder the overall import volume coming into India. Importers may struggle to compete with local products, leading to a potential decline in the availability of imported apples. In the coming weeks, it will be important to see if shipping times improve and costs stabilize. If not, we may continue to face challenges in the import market, affecting supply and prices."
"Prices are currently slightly higher than they were at the same time last year, primarily due to limited arrivals. This reduced supply has put upward pressure on prices in the market. It appears to be a year with limited volumes, leading to fewer arrivals in the market. However, we remain optimistic for an overall fruitful season, hoping that quality will compensate for the reduced supply and that consumer demand will stay strong," Gidwani concludes.
For more information:
Prashant Gidwani
Fresh Fruit Alliances Pvt Ltd
Email: [email protected]
www.freshfruitalliances.com