As awareness and demand for exotic fruits rises across India, the country’s leading importers are forecasting a sharp rise in kiwifruit imports over the next decade.
According to a report from the Economic Times, exotic fruit import volumes are rising by 15 per cent to 20 per centper annum, with kiwifruit among the leaders of this charge. “Kiwifruit is growing massively at about 30 per cent per annum,” IG International director Tarun Arora told the Economic Times.
Arora anticipates imports will grow from around 1,000 tonnes per week to 5,000 tonnes per week within the next 10 years.
New Zealand remains the major source for Indian kiwifruit imports, with single desk marketer Zespri working hard to promote the nutritional value of its premium quality offering.
However, as awareness of the category grows across different segments of the Indian market, lower-cost imports are also being sought to make the fruit available at a range of price points.
“Iran kiwi is cheaper by more than 50 per cent compared to other destinations,” said Dinesh Shinde of Indian distributor Anusuya Fresh. “The transit time and cost is also less, which made the fruit affordable for commoners.”
