In an bid to increase the confidence of European buyers in the consistency of Indian grapes, the country’s Agricultural and Processed Foods Product Export Development Authority (Apeda) has developed web-based software that enables customers to access the traceability details of the fruit being shipped to them.
The software - called “GrapeNet” - will provide details of fruit such as its origin and various stages, including health and safety tests in the laboratory, through a click of mouse.
Importers can access detailed information on inspection, laboratory analysis, certificate of residue analysis and the packaging details on Apeda's website.
The “GrapeNet” was launched by India’s minister of state for commerce Jairam Ramesh earlier this month.
"The pesticide issue is the single most important issue faced by commodities in any international market. Indian grapes have been facing a problem of not being accepted in EU markets due to concerns over pesticide residues," he said.
Grapes contributed nine per cent to the horticulture export business from India last year and the category is expected to increase by around 10 per cent in value next season.
Ramesh has already asked Apeda to introduce a similar system for mangoes in the next 10-12 months, as India steps up its efforts to assure the European market.
The traceability software will help 40,000 farmers apply uniform practices, and potentially increase their earnings by more than 40 per cent, said Apeda, which told growers that the value of their grapes will rise through participation.
