| Subject: |
India: Growing appetite for pears |
|
Himachal Pradesh and Punjab are prime pear-growing areas in India, but in order to satiate the rising demand for pears, imports appear to be the only option. Imports of fresh pears -- from the US, South Africa and China -- have soared dramatically.
According to information available on the APEDA (Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority) website, India imported 14,571.90 tonnes of fresh pears in 2013-14, valued at around Rs789 million (USD$12.7 million). There were no imports in 2012-13, nor in 2011-12.
Rising imports
Some 9,253.58 tonnes of fresh pears, valued at Rs356 million (USD$ 5.7 million), was imported from China in 2013-14.
Though imports from South Africa were the second highest at 2,799.56 tonnes in 2013-14, compared to imports from the US at 2,518.76 tonnes, the value of pear imports from South Africa was at Rs197 million (USD$3.2 million) compared to the value of American pears at Rs235 million (USD$3.8 million).
India also exported 3.39 tonnes of pears in 2013-14 worth Rs140,000 (USD$2,245). There were nil exports in the previous years.
Homegrown varieties
Incidentally, several varieties of pears are grown in Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. Pear varieties such as William, Kashmir Nakh, Vicar of Wakefield, Beuree D Amanlis, Goshbagu, Beurre Hardy are grown in J&K.
US apple grower and exporter Stemilt Growers has moved to strengthen its position in India’s lucrative pear market.
“Along with a record production of apples, we have 13 different varieties of pears grown in the US,” Bill Young, Global Sales Director at Stemilt Growers told BusinessLine, a recent visit to India. “Though all the 13 varieties are sold in the global market, Anjus pears (from the US) are particularly liked by Indian consumers,” he added.
Source : freshplaza.com
|