Leading Indian fruit importer IG International has partnered with Sunil Shejwal of well-known grape exporter Atharva International to form Sanvi International, a joint venture that will focus on exporting grapes and other key Indian fruits to emerging markets in particular.
While it has built its business on fruit imports to the rapidly growing Indian market over the past 10 years, IG International began to export table grapes from India last year and sought out partners with a strong production base, according to the company’s Tarun Arora.
“I met Sunil Shejwal of Atharva International on one of my visits to Nashik and explained to him IG’s market network and strengths,” Arora told Asiafruit. “Sunil was quite impressed and he briefed me on his network of local grape farmers, with whom he has been working since 1994. From that discussion the idea came to form a joint venture for this coming season that would use each other’s strengths to and optimise efficiencies.”
While Shejwal and Arora are directors of operations and finance respectively, IG International’s Sunny Saluja, the third shareholder in Sanvi International, will lead the business as marketing director.
Shejwal’s company Atharva International is a long-established player in Indian table grape exports. “Sunil has a great depth of experience as an overseas grape technologist and a thorough knowledge of all aspects of the grape export business, having been operating since 1994,” said Arora.
As such, table grapes will be the primary focus for the export business, particularly Thompson Seedless and black seedless varieties, but it will also export pomegranates, bananas and mangoes.
One of the key points of difference for the business will be its focus on new and emerging markets for Indian exports, according to Arora. “I think IG’s know-how and network in South East Asia, CIS countries and Europe will help us to market grapes very well,” he told Asiafruit. 'I see good potential to increase the export of Indian grapes to Asian countries such as China, SIngapore, Hong Kong, Thailand and Indonesia, where higher prices can be achieved for quality fruit.'
Shejwal added that Indian grapes must also boost their market share in established EU markets, such as the UK, Germany, France and the Netherlands.
Sanvi International plans to build a new packhouse that is expected to go into operation from next season, and it has already identified land for the new development.
The upcoming Indian grape season is shaping up well, according to Arora, who sees it as a good year for producers to branch out in export markets.
“We’ve had good rains and the crop looks really nice,” he said. “I think it’s a great opportunity to explore newer markets for Indian grapes. South East Asia will certainly see more arrivals of Indian grapes.”
