UK importer Univeg Katopé has taken delivery of the first ever Fairtrade Indian table grapes, reporting 'very good' quality as the fruit heads to retail customers and consumers.
The fruit has been supplied by India's largest fresh grape exporter, Euro Fruits, and is being sold under the Fairtrade label in a number of key European markets this season for the first time.
Samples taken from the initial consignments have reportedly passed mandatory testing, meaning the fruit is now cleared for sale.
The fruit's arrival is also set to be promoted as a world first by the Fairtrade Foundation's marketing department.
Meanwhile, Fairtrade grapes have also been arriving at Univeg Katopé's facility in Spalding, UK, from Chile.
The late-season, red, seedless grapes are part of the company's bi-coloured grape offer and have been sourced to ensure continuity of supply through to the Northern Hemisphere season, which is due to commence with Egyptian grapes – also Fairtrade-branded – in early June.
'These sourcing successes give Univeg the unique position of being able to offer a ten-month continuous supply of Fairtrade seedless grape, comprising green, red and black seedless varieties, with the aim of 52-week full supply by 2013,' said the company's Fairtrade commercial manager Rosemary Lalley.
