India's Bhagwa pomegranate exports are gearing up for a strong season, says Ankit Thakkar, Operations Head at Fresh and Fair Exporters. "Our packing will start from the last week of September in Maharashtra, followed by Gujarat, and continue through February and March."
According to Thakkar, "While production has dropped by 10-20 percent due to uneven rains in both Maharashtra and Gujarat, the quality is actually better than last year." The firm exclusively deals in the Bhagwa variety, favored strongly by export buyers. "Our customers in the Middle East, mainly supermarkets, demand specific sizes, weights, and quality, which we ensure to match precisely."
© Fresh & Fair Exports
Currently, prices are stable compared to the previous season, but Thakkar anticipates a rise of 10-15 percent in the coming months. "This is mainly because the Maharashtra season will end before Gujarat's begins, causing a temporary supply gap." Thakkar highlights how price fluctuations and strong local demand pose challenges. "Many competitors export on a sale basis, affecting market prices, but we maintain fixed-price orders and prioritize consistent quality."
Fresh and Fair has steadily increased export volumes over recent years. "Our current buyer demand is around 100 containers yearly, with a program of two containers weekly. Though we are not yet at full volume, growth is ongoing." Thakkar shares that Fresh and Fair is further exploring Asian markets like Malaysia and Indonesia, though progress is slow. "Meanwhile, a European importer has placed a 50-container order, contingent on meeting strict EU quality, pesticide residue and other importing standards."
Thakkar expresses a confident outlook for the coming months: "Bhagwa is a huge success, and we see strong demand potential in Europe. We aim to expand in Asia and Europe, balancing quality, price, and supply to meet growing international demand for Indian Bhagwa pomegranates."
For more information:
Ankit Thakkar
Fresh and Fair Exports LLP
Mob: +91 99 25 974 100
Email: [email protected]
www.freshandfair.in