Latin American apple suppliers are enjoying a stellar start to their Indian export deal, as low European volumes combine with strong demand to make for brisk May sales in this market.
Back in March, Indian importers had predicted a very strong Chilean and New Zealand apple season due to a drastically reduced European crop, an on-going China ban and the “destocking” of domestic coldstore apples.
And this week (15 May) their predictions were proved correct as they reported quick sales of product from Chile and New Zealand, as well as increased volumes from Argentina and Brazil, due to escalating Washington apple prices and non-existent sources of stored European fruit.
“The main suppliers Chile and New Zealand are pretty active, but this season Brazil and Argentina have also been more active [than before] due to good demand from India,” Parth Karvat, owner of Mumbai-based importer Yupaa Group, told Fruitnet. “There is high demand so the sales for the incoming supply is quick this season.”
Tarun Arora, director at importer IG International also reported an increase in apple supplies from Latin America this season.
“Brazilian apples have come before, but this year is different,” he told Fruitnet. “There is a bigger volume of Brazilian apples coming to India this year.”
Karvat added that 2018 marks Yupaa’s third consecutive Argentine apple season, and growth over the years has been “fantastic”.
“This season, in addition to Galas, we have done a lot of reds. The quality from Argentina is very nice and it competes well with Chilean and Brazilian apples,” he said. “Yes, there is plenty of volume coming to India [from Latin America].”
Both importers concede that the 45-50-day ocean voyage from Latin America to India is a challenge to product shelf-life, but said much has been done to overcome the issue.
“Latin exporters have done an exceptional job doing the right things to ensure perfect arrivals,” Karvat said.
