Indian multinational conglomerate company Tata Group and agro-chemical leader Rallis India have launched branded grapes to be sold exclusively through the group's retail venture Star Bazaar in Mumbai and Pune, reports India's the Business Standard.
Branded as Rallis - Star Bazaar Grapes, the fruit is priced 50 per cent higher than the best-quality grapes available in the open domestic market (Rs115 a kg = US$1.9), and is claimed to be of export quality with an objective to offer healthy and safe produce to the consumers, the report said.
V Shankar, managing director and CEO, Rallis India Ltd, told the publication: 'Consumers today have become very health conscious and prefer quality products which are safe and healthy for consumption. We offer farm fresh grapes to the consumers certified by Apeda (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority), making them an export quality product and are available at reasonable prices in the domestic market. We plan to launch the product in other markets across India during our second phase.”
The branded grapes are sourced from growers involved in Rallis India's Samrudh Krishi initiative, which the group says endeavours to provide and train farmers in best international agricultural practices.
The news follows fellow Indian conglomerate Mahindra & Mahindra's recent announcement that it has entered the branded fruit sector with a new apple line.
