Imported Washington apples are gaining popularity in India on the back of growing awareness on healthcare and better quality of life. | |
| The SCS Group, promoters of Washington apples in India, is eyeing a big boost in sales through organised retail outlets. |
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| The imported Washington apples are currently available in supermarket chains, A class retail outlets, fruit sellers, roadside shops in metros and mini-metros. |
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| However, roadside vendors account for about 80 per cent of Washington apple sales in India with the rest coming from organised retail outlets. A couple of years ago, roadside vendors accounted for over 90 per cent of sales, said Sumit Saran, vice-president, The SCS Group. |
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| He noted that plans were being drawn up to promote Washington apples sales in large quantities through organised retail outlets thanks to growing demand. |
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| Presently, about 1,000 stores, including small vendors and single vendors across the country are reported to be selling these apples. About 1.6 million boxes of Washington apples were sold in India last season. |
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| During 2006-07, India imported 26,000 million metric tonnes of Washington apples, valued at $17.70 million, for consumption in the domestic market. |
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| Washington apples with their high nutritional value are grown over 225,000 acres of apple orchards in Washington state. |
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| Rebecca Baerveldt, export marketing manager, Washington Apples Commission, a US-based agency that promotes apple exports from the orchards of Washington state, said the Indian market is witnessing a surge in consumption of Washington apples over the last 2-3 years. |
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| Last year, India was the fourth largest importer of Washington apples while this year a minor drop in consumption is expected. We expect India to be among the top eight export locations for our apples, she added. |
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| She said that about 70 per cent of apples produced in Washington are for local consumption while the remaining 30 per cent is exported. |
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| Total apple production in 2007 was about 100 million boxes of 40 pounds each, with varieties Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Ffuji, Granny, Smith, Galam, Winesap, Braeburn, Rome Beauty and Jonagold. The top three importers of Washington apples were Mexico, Canada and Taiwan. |
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| Baerveldt also pointed out that consumption of Washington apples in India has been on the rise despite high duties of about 50 per cent. "Mexico, Canada and Taiwan levy lower duties at about 30 per cent on imported apples compared to India," she added. |
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| India presently imports and consumes Red Delicious and Gala varieties of Washington Apples in large quantities. Baerveldt expressed hope that the Indian market would generate demand for all nine varieties in future. |
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