All indications point to an excellent 2009 Indian mango export season, according to leading shippers.
With a first-rate quality crop forecast this year and new international markets opening up to the fruit, exporters are confident of doing good business despite the global economic downturn.
Some shippers say they are experiencing greater interest from mainstream UK and European consumer markets in Indian mangoes, which bodes well for the future. And others believe that the US – which opened its doors to irradiated Indian mangoes in 2007 – holds untold potential. China, currently a fledgling market, also offers exciting prospects, some exporters say. And, this year, India hopes to ship its first ever mangoes to Australia if current trade negotiations go to plan.
“There are new markets opening now to Indian mangoes like the US, China and Australia. If the product is able to the meet the non-tariff barriers and quality standards, the market potential is huge,” said Vishwajeet Sinha, general manager (sales) at Desai Fruits & Vegetables, whose company has repositioned itself to aggressively target developing markets, such as the EU, US and China, this year.
Despite the gloomy economic situation that has adversely affected some high-end fruit and vegetable sales in Europe and the US, Kaushal Khakhar of leading exporter Kay Bee says Indian mangoes (mainly the Alphonso and Kesar varieties) have seen excellent buyer interest so far this year.
Desai Fruits, though, anticipates a significant shift in consumer purchasing behaviour following the global financial meltdown and will therefore focus on exporting cheaper varieties with better shelf-life this season.
“The challenge is to be cost-effective in a consumer market with increasing price sensitivity amidst global financial crisis,” Mr Sinha told Fruitnet.
