Backed by a strong promotional campaign, trial shipments of Australian early season mandarins are set to enter Mumbai.
The programme is being coordinated by Queensland-based grower-packer Ironbark Citrus and its marketing partner BGP International.
Following on from the success of small trial programmes into Delhi with Honey Murcotts, BGP International’s managing director Neil Barker believes India could develop into a key market for Australian mandarin exports.
“I have long believed that India is ready to add soft citrus to the citrus category, and expect that sales will rapidly increase over the next few years,” Barker said. “The fruit is sweet, easy to peel, and great to eat, and the decline in the Australian dollar has reduced the price to an affordable level for the Indian consumer.”
BGP International and Ironbark have already shipped 5,000 cartons of the Fremont variety to India, with a further 2,500 cartons of Honey Murcotts to depart next week.
“These varieties work well in Indonesia and the Middle East and our research suggests they will work well in India,” Barker explained.
Australian High Commissioner (India) Patrick Sucklingwill attend a launch event in Mumbai next week to officially kick-start the promotional campaign, which has been developed in association with leading Indian importer IG International.
“With the promotion increasing awareness of the fruit we are aiming for greater penetration of the market and consumption in the broader community,” Barker said.
