Markfed eyes boost in exports of canned vegetables

With steep spurt in demand of canned vegetables, especially ‘Saag, Rajmah and Kurhi Pakora’ from abroad, the state government-owned Markfed is set to achieve a target of Rs 10 to 12 crore of export turnover in the current financial year.

Earlier Markfed used to export its canned vegetables mainly to West Asia (about 50 per cent of total exports) apart from its presence in the European market, but for the last one year steep spurt in the demand of ‘Punjabi vegetables’ has been witnessed in Australia, where Punjabi youth in large numbers have gone on study visa, sources of the cannery unit of Markfed here, said.

Last year total export of canned vegetable was of Rs 8 crore and this year it is expected that the export figure would be between Rs 10 and 12 crore, sources added.

Asked whether there was any adverse impact on the demand due to global recession, especially the recent financial crisis in West Asia, sources ruled out the same and said although it was expected that demand would decline, it rather increased.

Other countries where the Markfed has made its presence in the form of canned vegetables include UK, USA, Canada and New Zealand, sources added.