Fieldfresh doubles its grape export in FY `08

Fieldfresh, a joint venture company between Bharti Enterprises and Del Monte Pacific, has been exporting fresh fruits and vegetables to key markets including UK, the Middle East and Europe.

Fieldfresh plans to enhance its focus through value added products in the domestic market. It has evolved a comprehensive strategy for serving the needs of the Business-to-Business segment.

"Fieldfresh exported 3,100 metric tonnes (MT) of grapes (248 containers) to Netherland, UK & Dubai, recording 117.51 per cent rise during the FY 2007-08, against 1,416 MT (118 containers) during FY 2006-07," the company sources told Business Standard.

Instead of contract farming, the company directly purchased grapes from farmers by appointing service provides. The company sourced 2,075 MT of grapes (166 containers) from Nashik district and 1,025 MT of grapes (82 containers) from Sangli district.

In FY 2006-07, the company had exported around 118 containers of grapes (1,416 metric tonnes). Out of which, the company had sourced 86 containers of grapes (1032 metric tonnes) from Nashik district and 32 containers (384 MT) from Sangli district. FieldFresh has taken initiatives to bridge the current gap between the vast inherent potential of the agri-horticulture sector with the requirements of the world market.

The company recently set up first fresh produce pack house with hydro cooling facility at its agri centre of excellence facility spread over 300 acres model farm at Ladowal in Ludhiana district in Punjab.

The farm includes 42 acres of state-of-the-art protected cultivation including, poly-houses, glass and green houses and net houses.